Church preschool is in search of coat donations for those in need
Staff writer
Colder weather means coats are coming out of closets, and Stepping Stones Preschool and Valley United Methodist Church are looking for coat donations.
The idea started after Valley United Methodist Church administrative assistant Joni Riemann talked with Stepping Stones Preschool director Tristan Koop about having coats on hand for when children go out for recess.
Then Riemann received an email from Harvey County Homeless Shelter, which also covers Marion and McPherson counties, also asking for coat donations.
“I thought it would be neat for the community to gather coats and give them to where they are needed,” Riemann said.
Pastor Amanda Baker said that since the two needs popped up at the same time, they thought now was a good time to ask.
“We thought so many of us have extra coats, whether it’s one we bought and do not use anymore, or that kids outgrew them,” Baker said.
After they announced asking for donations to the church, Baker knew it would not be long until it became community wide.
“In a small community like Marion, it can spread beyond the congregation pretty easily,” Baker said.
Baker said the homeless shelter accepts all coat sizes, from child to adult.
“Adults are probably a little bit harder to come by, because kids outgrow coats so fast, they get donated a little bit more readily I think than adult coats do,” she said.
Coats may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and noon Mondays through Fridays in a box located in the entrance of the church on Santa Fe. St.