As temperatures continue to fall across Maine, Penquis is gearing up for its Coats of Kindness program’s fifth year of helping people stay safe and warm during the cold winter months. The program is asking for the community’s help to provide free coats to those in need.
Coats of Kindness began early in November. Gently worn” coats of all sizes can be dropped off at Gold Star Cleaners locations in Penobscot County where the coats will be cleaned, compliments of Gold Star Cleaners and given to Penquis for distribution.
Penquis’ Resource Development Coordinator Chantelle Haltizer says the program collected nearly 1,000 coats last year and they hope to reach or surpass that goal again this year. “Penquis is thrilled to once again partner with Gold Star Cleaners who so generously clean the donated coats for free,” Haltizer said. “They have become a leader in the community and are helping hundreds of people find a way to stay safe and warm during Maine’s cold winter months.”
This year, Chick-fil-A Bangor is a sponsor for Coats of Kindness and has different ways for you to support the program. During the month of November, Chick-fil-A will be holding their Sweet Treat Fundraiser and for all sales of chocolate chunk cookies and chocolate fudge brownies, Chick-fil-A will be donating 10 percent to Coats of Kindness. Additionally, on Nov. 12 from 5-6 p.m., Chick-fil-A will be joined by Penquis for an exciting Bingo night during which, for each new or gently used coat donated, Chick-fil-A will give out a chicken sandwich offer card.
If you are interested in supporting this vital program and cannot make it to the Chick-fil-A events, you can drop off gently worn coats and snow pants at any of the six participating Gold Star Cleaners locations which are listed below. You can also make a monetary donation at any of Penquis’ offices or online by visiting www.penquis.org/donate and selecting “Coats of Kindness.” Contributions to the program will be used to purchase new coats for distribution.
Gently used coat donations may be made at any of the following Gold Star Cleaners’ locations:
220 Union Street, Bangor
Brewer Shopping Center, Brewer
200 Wilson Street, Brewer
Corner of Main & Depot, Lincoln
University Mall, Orono
Old Town Plaza, Old Town
People in need of a coat can stop by Penquis’ offices in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, Lincoln, and Rockland during the office’s normal business hours.
Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to assist individuals and families in improving their financial stability. Penquis programs and services focus efforts in four key areas: housing stability, access to transportation, school readiness, and healthy lives. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis affects all of Maine’s 16 counties, but primarily individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Up to 5,000 people are served on any given day and more than 30,000 each year.
