Senator Oppenheimer Asks New Yorkers to Remember Those in Need This Holiday Season

Celebrate the Holidays by Helping Others Stay Warm this Winter

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, Senator Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) is urging families to open their hearts, closets, and attics to find donations that can help keep the homeless and needy warm and sheltered this winter.

“A simple donation of gently used clothing can make all the difference during these frigid winter months,” said the Senator. “Regrettably, homelessness is a serious problem throughout New York and even here in ‘affluent’ Westchester County. Since the beginning of the recession in 2008, shelters in Westchester have seen a large increase in the number of homeless individuals and families,” noted Senator Oppenheimer. Last year, the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless served over five million meals, 50 percent of which were for children.

Many shelters that collect clothing for the needy have websites which give details about where to drop off donations, and often list urgently needed items online. Most-often needed items include winter jackets, children’s clothing, shoes, and blankets. Canned goods are also appreciated by shelters, Senator Oppenheimer noted.

“Families who are themselves struggling and may not have the ability to donate financially as they may have in the past will find that donating clothing and other goods around the house is a simple, yet very meaningful way to help our community.”

Commonly needed items include:

• Diapers

• Canned vegetables, soup & fruits

• Gently used clothing and shoes

• Blankets

• Snow pants, gloves and boots

• Towels

• Bed pillows

• Single bed sheets

• Toothpaste and toothbrushes

• Disposable razors and shaving cream

• Deodorant

To find a local shelter or food bank in your community, visit the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless website at www.foodclothingshelter.org or search for homeless shelters by community at www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/newyork.html.

“Helping others who are struggling is a wonderful and compassionate way to remember the true meaning of the holidays,” said Senator Oppenheimer.