On December 19, 2019 Hopeloft hosted a winter coat drive for families in the community. The event, which ran from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the first floor of Hopeloft’s 40 East Commerce Street location in Bridgeton, was orchestrated by event coordinators Hillary Nichols and Alejandra Barragan, with the help of a host of volunteers from the Hopeloft family and local community.
Hopeloft collected close to 200 coats ranging in size from toddler to triple XL in the span of three months, and served over 120 individuals at the drive. Coats were donated from the Salvation Army of Bridgeton and Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton, among a myriad of diverse organizations and individuals in the community willing to give back.
The event was preceded by a PB&J for the Hungry Service Project during which a group of teenagers from Cumberland Regional High School, in unison with a handful of other volunteers from Hopeloft and the local community, worked together to make sandwiches and assemble brown paper bag meals to be distributed during the coat drive.
While the holidays can be a stressful time for many, especially those struggling to make ends meet, events like Hopeloft’s end-of-the-year coat drive remind people in the community that they are seen, heard, and supported.
“I want people — when they think of Hopeloft — to think this is a place where they can come and feel safe and wanted, and know that we care about our community.” said Hillary.
Hopeloft is eager to continue this tradition next year, and invites you to join us on our future endeavors!
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