It is no secret that Winter in New Hampshire can be chilly. As temperatures begin to drop, are you prepared for the cold?
The Basic Needs Initiative Committee, UNH Athletics, Office of International Students and Scholars and a dedicated group of faculty and staff are seeking winter clothing donations. We are asking our UNH community to take action to support our fellow wildcats on both the Durham and Manchester campuses! We will be collecting gently used (in good condition) or new coats as well as new hats, gloves or scarves at the following athletic games:
- Monday November 4, 2024 at 6pm: Women's Basketball vs. Worcester State (Lundholm Gymnasium)
- Wednesday November 6, 2024 at 7pm: Men’s Basketball vs. UMass Boston (Lundholm Gymnasium)
- Friday November 8, 2024 at 6pm: Women’s Hockey vs. Providence (Whittemore Center Arena)
- Saturday November 9, 2024 at 1pm Football vs. Monmouth (Wildcat Stadium)
- Saturday November 9, 2024 at 7pm: Men’s Hockey vs. Long Island (Whittemore Center Arena)
- Tuesday November 12, 2024 at 7pm: Men’s Basketball vs. Fairfield (Lundholm Gymnasium)
We will also have bins available in the following locations from October 21-November 12th:
- Basic Needs Support office (MUB 234)
- Office of International Students and Scholars (bin will be located on first floor of Conant Hall)
- Student Life Office (bin will be located on the first floor of Thompson Hall)
- Outside of Lundholm Gymnasium
Additional Ways to Support the Winter Coat Drive
If you don't have a coat to spare but would still like to contribute, we would still love your support!
Volunteer:
Clothing Collection: We will need volunteers to help us collect coats at the various athletic events. This involves collecting clothing donations, encouraging folks to donate to the Basic Needs Support programs and thanking donors for their support.
Clothing Distribution Event: We can also utilize volunteers during the distribution event on November 13th to help set-up our free shopping experience, to support students picking out coats and share resources and to help clean up and organize any remaining coats.
Host your own Coat Drive:
If you are part of a department, student organization or community organization, we welcome you to host your own collection drive to support our fellow Wildcats! Contact Patty Mathison, Basic Needs Coordinator and Case Manager to set up a time to drop off donations.
Make a Financial Gift to Basic Needs Support:
The Basic Needs programs are emergency supports and resources that can help students face unanticipated challenges. Many of our UNH students are facing what feels like insurmountable odds as they work to complete their degrees, often working multiple jobs, taking care of family or making significant sacrifices just to get by. All financial gifts go directly to supporting student basic needs and can provide some much needed support allowing students to focus on their education.
Donate to the Student Basic Needs Programs
Additional Clothing Resources
There are many local stores that offer free or heavily discounted clothing including winter coats, gloves and hats or business attire. Check out local thrift stores like Echo Thrift Shop in downtown Durham or Goodwill in Dover which offer affordable clothing, furniture and household goods.
Below you can find several clothing stores that offer significant discounts or for free clothing that can help you to find more warm clothing options.
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Echo Thrift Store, 17 Main St in Durham (behind Community Church of Durham)- offers clothing for free for students experiencing financial struggles, or you can fill a bag for $5. Open M-F 10am-4pm.
https://www.echothriftshop.org/ They have lots of coats, sweaters, hats and gloves as well as household supplies (Basic Needs staff at UNH can provide gift certificates) -
Second Generation Thrift Shop: 9 Tide Mill Rd. Greenland NH- 100% of proceeds support New Generation’s mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness for local mothers and children. https://newgennh.org/thrift-shop/
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Share Fund Thrift Store, 150 Wakefield St. Rochester NH, Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-3pm, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 9am-12pm. (Basic Needs staff at UNH can provide a referral letter to be able to receive free shopping) SHARE Fund Thrift offers clothing, shoes, & accessories for adults & children, as well as household goods, toys, books, games, movies, and more!
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Goodwill Retail Stores (Northern New England) Website: www.goodwillnne.org
“Our stores offer a full range of apparel, accessories, footwear, children's merchandise, and home decor. You never know what you'll find at one of our stores, as the merchandise changes daily.” Mondays they offer Stuff a Bag for $15. They offer clothing, household supplies and furniture for a heavy discount.
Portsmouth Goodwill Store Address: 720 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: (603) 430-2040
Somersworth Goodwill Store Address: 450 High Street, Somersworth, NH 03878 Phone 603-343-5560 -
Operation Blessing
Address: 600 A Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: (603) 430-8561
Website: www.theobnh.org and Email: donate@theobnh.org
Primary needs, such as food, clothing, furniture and household goods, are available free of charge at the Center, where caring volunteers are available to assist them with their needs. -
Wonderland Thrift Shop
Address: 28 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH 03885 Phone: (603) 686 5313 Website: www.wonderlandthrift.org and Email: info@wonderlandthrift.org
Wonderland Thrift donates profits to local non profit agencies, and local people, local families, via financial assistance, bill payments, fuel/heat/grocery cards as well as having an innovative free clothing program. -
Join a Buy Nothing Facebook group: this is a group that you can find in most towns/areas with the goal of exchanging home essentials for free to reduce waste and save money. This can be for furniture, clothing, food items etc. This relies on trust and you will likely need to arrange to pick up items. Each group may have its own set of rules. (Durham's group is Oyster River- Pass it On- No Sales on Facebook)
