St. Lukes Foundation “Boot Drive” gives warm clothes to patients

DULUTH, Minn. — The re-freezing temperatures may be catching some people off guard, and for patients at Aspirus St. Lukes who may not have the best clothing for the cold, the St. Lukes Foundation is doing what they can to help.

The foundation’s Boot Drive is focused on gathering new and lightly used winter clothing for patients at the clinic that may not have the means to stay warm out of the hospital.

These resources are especially important for being discharged after a long time in care, or those that may need to rush to the hospital unexpectedly.

“There’s instances where people have the need for these items. They may be experiencing homelessness, they’re unhoused, or in simple cases, sometimes people come in with trauma, and their clothing that they arrived in isn’t able to be worn out, so we are able to provide them with some of the most basic essentials,” Meagan Avery, a Major Gifts Officer with the foundation.

While unused hats and mittens are sitting around the house, the foundation says that letting those items find new life is especially important at this time of year.

“This is important to me because getting active in your community is, I believe, one of the most important things that you can do as a neighbor,” said Security Specialist at Aspirus St. Lukes Matthew Chiles.

“Why not help those that need it most, and when it can literally save their life?”

The drive is year-round, but the need always becomes greater during the winter months.

If you have items to donate, you can do so in the first floor of the Northland building on the Aspirus St Luke’s campus.