Cradles to Crayons Boston has launched its annual Gear Up for Winter campaign. The campaign gives free coats, hats, gloves and boots to children in homeless and low-income households across Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island. This year the nonprofit hopes to distribute 2.5 million items, including more than 50,000 winter coats.

“Every winter brings an increased need for coats and cold-weather essentials for children experiencing poverty and crisis, but this year, the need feels even more critical,” said Alicia Kabir, executive director of Cradles to Crayons Boston. “As rising costs collide with cuts to assistance, families are hitting a financial breaking point.”

The organization says one in three children in the region is at risk of clothing insecurity, based on U.S. Census Bureau data. Consumer Price Index figures show boys’ clothing rose 7.8 percent and girls’ clothing 3.6 percent from September 2025 to September 2026. Over the same period, home heating oil rose 74.2 percent. The group also points to a survey from August 2025: 36 percent of struggling lower-income parents said they had kept a child home from school in cold weather because the child had no warm coat.

Cradles to Crayons gives the clothing to schools, community health centers and other service providers, which then pass it on to children. Residents can help in several ways:

Drop off clothing. New and gently used clothing and footwear, especially coats, hats and gloves, can be left at about 80 drop-off sites in the region, including every Old Navy store in Massachusetts. Find the nearest site and read the donation guidelines.

Pick a tag from a Holiday Giving Tree, Nov. 27 to Jan. 1. Shopping centers taking part include Simon Malls, Patriot Place and the Prudential Center. Shoppers take a tag with a child’s wish, buy the items and drop them off at the mall. Patriot Place opens its tree early, with a lighting event on Nov. 24 featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks and a $500 raffle. See participating locations.

Give through NBC Bundle Up New England, now through Jan. 31. NBC10 Boston, Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra, NBC Sports Boston and Xfinity are running the coat drive for a seventh year. You can bring donations to any Xfinity store in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, buy from the Bundle Up Amazon wish list or host your own drive. Details here.

Attend the Un-Gala on Nov. 21 or Dec. 5. This family-friendly fundraiser is a hands-on service event at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory in Newton. It includes children’s activities, light food and a presentation on the group’s impact. Learn more.

Shop the wish list. The organization updates its Amazon wish list every month with the items it needs most.

Last year Cradles to Crayons Boston gave out 5.36 million clothing items and other essentials through more than 270 local partners. More than 25,000 volunteers helped.

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