Program Details

United Way Lakes and Prairie hosts the Warm Winter Wear Collection each fall to ensure families across our region have access to coats and cold weather essentials at no cost. This program serves people living in Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena Counties.

The program begins with a community collection drive. Local businesses, service clubs, organizations, and community members donate gently used or new winter items. Items may be dropped off at designated collection sites or directly at United Way offices.

After collection, volunteers, partners, and United Way staff work together to sort, prepare, and distribute the donations. Families can then attend distribution events to select the coats and warm accessories they need for the season.

This effort is hosted every October and brings vital resources to those who need them most.
Continue reading to learn how you can donate winter items or help at distribution events.

Need Winter Wear

United Way’s Warm Winter Wear Collection ensures that everyone in our community has access to the cold-weather essentials they need.

There are no income guidelines or qualifications to participate. Individuals and families are welcome to attend and select items for themselves or their immediate family members. To ensure that supplies reach as many households as possible, we kindly request that you take only one of each item per person in your family.

No pre-registration is required. Simply come to a distribution site and choose the items that best fit your family’s needs.

Distribution Dates & Locations

Families in our region are welcome to attend any of the distribution events listed below. No pre-registration is required, and all items are available at no cost.

Wadena Distribution

• Maslowski’s  |  Wednesday, Oct. 22nd from  3 pm - 7 pm

Perham Distribution

• Calvary Lutheran Church  | Thursday, Oct. 23rd from  3 pm - 7 pm

Alexandria Distribution

• Alexandria United Way Office
  • Oct. 16th & 17th from 8 am - 5 pm
  • Oct. 20th – 23rd from 8 am - 4 pm

Fergus Falls

• Please check back - distribution dates will be published soon!  

Personal Donations

Our Collection dates are from September 29th to October 10th, 2025. 

Donations of all sizes are needed! Gently used coats, hats, gloves, snowpants, scarves & boots are accepted. Please ensure items are warm, washed, and have functioning zippers. Please drop off your donations at the United Way office during our collection period. Below is a list of locations you can drop off your donations at!  No late donations, please.

Public Distribution Locations - THANK YOU COLLECTION HOSTS!

Alexandria

• United Way Office | 503 Hawthorne St, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Gardonville - Alexandria Office | 410 30th Ave E, Suite 106, Alexandria, MN 56308
• ITW Heartland | 1205 36th Ave, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Noonan Sport Specialists | 591 Northside Dr NE, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Massman | 2800 Nevada St SW, Alexandria, MN 56308
• First Lutheran Church | 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308
• First Western Bank and Trust | 3313 Highway 29 South, Alexandria, MN 56308
• YMCA | 110 Karl Dr. Alexandria, MN 56308
• Alexandria Industries | 401 County Rd 22 NW, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Gate City Bank | 1630 Douglas St, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Hilltop Lumber | 1405 N Nokomis NE, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Curves | 901 State Hwy 29 N, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Elden's Fresh Foods |  707 3rd Ave E

Brandon

• Gardonville - Brandon Office | 800 Central Ave N, Brandon, MN 56315

Glenwood

• Magnifi Financial Credit Union | 101 S Franklin St, Glenwood, MN 56334
• Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center | 7 First Street NW, Glenwood, MN 56334
• Glenwood Medical Center | 10 Fourth Avenue SE, Glenwood, MN 56334
• FAST Global Solutions, Inc.  |  20631 State Hwy 55, Glenwood, MN 56334
• Eagle Bank | 2 South Franklin St, Glenwood, MN 56334  

Perham

• Arvig | 150 2nd Street SW - Perham, MN 56573
• Perham Health  |  1000 Coney Street W - Perham, MN 56573
• Perham Area Community Center  |  620 3rd Ave. SE - Perham, MN 56573
• Calvary Lutheran Church |  619 3rd Ave. SE - Perham, MN 56573

Fergus Falls

• United Way Office | 120 E Washington Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
• Gate City Bank  |  428 W Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Starbuck

• Glacial Ridge Health System | 707 E Seventh Street, Starbuck, MN 56381

Wadena

• Astera Health | 421 11th St NW, Wadena, MN 56482
• Maslowski Wellness and Research Center  |  17 5th St. SW - Wadena, MN 56482

Thank you to our workplace collection hosts below for supporting families in need.

• Aagard
• Douglas Machine
• Alomere Health
• Alexandria Public Schools Preschool
• Douglas County Social Services
• LGC Biosearch Technologies
• Alexandria Public Schools Preschool
• KLN Family Brands
• Henry's Foods Inc
• American Solutions for Business
• Geneva Capital, LLC 
• Glenwood State Bank
• Tuffy's
• Kenny's Candy
• Otter Tail Corporation
• Stryhn, LLC

Hosting A Collection

Businesses, service clubs, and community groups are invited to host a Winter Wear Collection on behalf of United Way. By signing up through the form below, your organization will be added to our Collection Partnership list. We’ll provide follow-up communication on distribution dates and locations, along with the resources you need for a successful drive.

To make the process simple, here are a few key details about hosting a Warm Winter Collection:

• Please use your own box or container to collect donated items
• Close your collection on or before October 9, 2025
• Use the flyer provided to promote your drive and display on your collection box
• Locations for drop off will be sent to you depending on your location across the region.

By joining as a collection partner, you’ll help ensure families across our region have the warm winter wear they need.