Seattle, WA: Autonomous Cold Weather Gear Drive for the Houseless

Call for collection of cold weather gear and supplies in the Seattle, Washington area. Originally published to Puget Sound Anarchists.

Seattle has the third highest rate of houselessness in the US behind LA and NYC. [1] As of January 2019, there were approximately 12,000 unhoused neighbors in King County with anywhere from 3,000-4,000 rough sleepers, or those not sheltered, at any given time. [2] 2018 was the most deadly year on record for our unhoused neighbors while data from 2019 has yet to be released. [3] One preventable cause of death and injury is related to cold weather. February 2019 brought about the “Snowpocalypse” in Seattle with record snowfall within the region and 2020 is already having freezing cold nights with snow fall predicted within the next week.

In February 2019, our group collected and distributed cold weather gear and other supplies to hundreds of unsheltered neighbors and we are returning this year to do the same. This includes gently used and new warm and waterproof gear.

Cold weather gear examples:
-hats
-warm, waterproof gloves
-fleece gear
-scarves
-socks
-boots
-jackets
-hand warmers
-etc.

Wet weather gear examples:
-ponchos
-tarps
-rain coats
-tents
-etc.

We will be collecting items from January 10th through February 10th. Below are the drop off points:
South East Seattle – Cafe Red: https://www.facebook.com/events/869719956814776/

Downtown Seattle – Left Bank Books: https://www.facebook.com/events/3058600441033568/

Downtown Seattle – Plymouth Church: https://www.facebook.com/events/815691758870157/

Capitol Hill – Pacific Supply Co.: https://www.facebook.com/events/2582826815340355/

Northwest Seattle – Flying Bike: https://www.facebook.com/events/2585105795093548/

Northeast Seattle – U District Food bank: https://www.facebook.com/events/2513215485558389/

Magnolia – Dive Alert: https://www.facebook.com/events/869242876840151/

1 https://www.kuow.org/stories/here-s-how-seattle-and-washington-compare-to-national-homeless-trends

2 https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/homeless/king-county-homeless-population-decreases-for-first-time-in-years/281-b66ba7a4-e04d-4410-bb9a-a49d929e3213

3 https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/homeless-deaths-in-2018-appear-to-break-records-once-again/