In 2009 Mathew came up with the idea to start Coats For Calgary while volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank. With Mathew's vast database in Calgary and his career in Real Estate, he went to work contacting businesses throughout the city in the hopes of partnering together to collect warm jackets from the beginning of fall, into the new year when the coats are donated.
After witnessing the significant lack of warm clothing during the harsh winter months, I wanted to try and help in any way I could. To do something impactful and to make a difference for the people who need it most.
2025 marks the fifteenth annual jacket drive with the hopes to surpass our previous impressive record of over 7,000 jackets donated. With almost 60 supporters, drop-off locations and businesses involved this year, the goal is to surpass that amount, a number Mathew never thought would be obtainable when first kicking off the jacket drive 15 years ago.
We live in such an incredible city with so many giving and generous people. The least we can do is try and lend a helping hand to those less fortunate in our city. To me, coming together for the greater good and giving back is the definition of community. I am proud to be a part of this community and honoured to be able to continue this initiative year over year.
For more than 50 years, the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society has delivered services and supports to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Open 365 days a year, twenty-four hours a day, the Calgary Drop-In sleeps over 1,000 people per night and serves approximately 3,000 meals a day. The Calgary Drop-In offers emergency services to over 20,000 Calgarians each year. It also offers affordable housing: Bridgeland Manor is a 48-unit market rent and affordable housing apartment that provides stable and independent living for seniors; Sundial is a 114 unit apartment building, offering market rent and affordable housing together in a community setting. The Calgary Drop-In relies on monetary donations to fund its fifty programs and services.
Donations can be made online at calgarydropin.ca/coatsforcalgary
Learn more at calgarydropin.ca
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220-1220 Kensington Road NW
4323 1 Street SE
122, 85 Railway Ave SW, Airdrie
200 Auburn Bay Blvd SE
#370, 250 6 Ave SW
755 Lake Bonavista Drive SE
110, 6311 Bowness Road NW
126, 3715 51 Street SW
272, 10816 MacLeod Trail S
210, 6700 Macleod Trail SE
#104, 8826 Blackfoot Trail S.E.
11 Cranarch Road SE
300 Manning Road NE
10805 50 Street SE
1221 Canyon Meadows Drive SE
#618, 4600 130th Avenue SE
1, 3451 Douglasdale Blvd SE
#38, 1221 Canyon Meadows Drive SE
#131, 11501 Buffalo Run Blvd
Douglasdale - 11540 24 Street SE
Northgate - 565 36 Street NE
Country Hills - 2638 Country Hills Blvd
Village Square - #180, 2520 52 Street NE
4109 11 Street SE
2985 23 Avenue NE
321 50 Avenue SE, #500
1180 Third Street SE
2450 Country Hills Blvd NE
2402 10 Avenue SW
200, 1055 20 Avenue NW
2 New Brighton Drive SE
1201 2 Street NW
938, 11520 24 Street SE
925 46 Avenue SE
#240, 600 Crowfoot Crescent NW
#502, 10333 Southport Road SW
115, 8820 Blackfoot Trail SE
11511 35 Street SE
230, 10201 Southport Road SW
5610 80 Avenue SE
#110, 221 19 Street SE
5000, 150 Millrise Blvd SW
4460 54 Avenue SE
239 Mayland Place NE, Unit 106
39 Discovery Drive SW
1200, 163 Quarry Park SE
114, 326 Aspen Glen Landing SW
1390 17 Avenue SE
40 Riverglen Drive SE
7730 MacLeod Trail SW
17103 James McKevitt Rd SW
300, 235 Milligan Dr, Okotoks
728 17th Avenue SW
121A 14 Street NW
5000 12a Street SE
4720 Bowness Road NW
205 8 Avenue SE
601, 722 85 Street SW
101, 3505 14 Street SW
4118 University Ave NW
For more information or to get involved, please contact us at give@coatsforcalgary.ca