Midwest towns launched winter gear drives in Dec. 2025 to help families and the homeless amid economic strain.

In December 2025, several Midwest communities launched winter gear initiatives to combat cold-weather hardship. Up North Pride in Traverse City opened a no-questions-asked clothing closet offering coats, boots, and holiday gifts, drawing swift community support. In Michigan City, Vanessa Nixon’s "Keep Kids Warm Coat Drive" provided free winter clothing to families with help from local sponsors and volunteers. Meanwhile, Mankato’s 7th annual Massad coat drive, now its largest, distributed new coats to students, families, and the homeless through a United Way partnership, highlighting rising demand amid economic uncertainty.