Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
If you have an extra blanket sitting around and collecting dust, consider making a donation to Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach.
The Lincoln social services organization posted on social media Tuesday, “There’s an urgent need for new and/or lightly used blankets at Matt Talbot!”
KLIN News reached out to Leanne Pelser, Matt Talbot’s Director of Housing & Outreach Programs, who said the demand for blankets is very real despite recent nice weather in Lincoln.
“In the wintertime when it’s really cold, folks think to donate blankets because they remember that individuals are outside. But as it gets warmer, the donations for blankets kind of dwindle, and we have come to a desperate need for them,” said Pelser. “We’ve been purchasing some blankets, but donated ones are very helpful to get out to folks.”
The best blankets to donate should be new/gently used, clean, and big enough to cover your person. Pelser said “If you would feel comfortable being covered by it, the folks using them will too.”
Pelser speculates the “giving mood” of the holiday season can create an influx in winter season donations, “We always think about how we need a
blanket to keep us warm when it’s cold. But we also need blankets when it’s warm out to protect from the sun and the rain elements to keep them safe,” she added.
If you feeling the summer giving mood, and have a few blankets going unused at home, donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach located on 2121 N. 27th Street.
Even better than a blanket? Pelser mentioned sleeping bags as another great resource, “Those help protect folks from the elements even better than blankets because they’re more temperature controlled and offer a little more padding for those who—unfortunately—having to sleep outside.”
For more information on Matt Talbot, visit mtko.org.