Open Door Coat Rack is a collaboration of Itasca County area volunteers, churches, and organizations who gather and distribute winter wear (coats, snow pants, boots, etc.) to local area families in need each year.  The location for this yearly event is at their host location, the United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids.

In 2024, 909 Itasca area children and needy adults received newly purchased and donated winter wear. There was a 23% increase over 2023 in the number of children served. With that increase, they ran out of many sizes of children’s coats and boots. There was also an increase in the need for larger sizes for youth ages 12-18 years old who wear large adult sizes.

The Open Door Coat Rack is fortunate to receive local grants to make purchases each year. As the need continues to grow and the expenses increase, the valued donations from churches and individuals supplement their budget so that no child is turned away.  The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation supports the work of Open Door Coat Rack through their annual grant cycle and in 2024 awarded Open Door Coat Rack a $5,250 grant to help support this important work.

If you have any questions or have donations, monetary or winter wear, for the Open Door Coat Rack, please do not hesitate to contact Sheila Weeks (218-229-9505) or Kay Klingman (612-845-6649). This year their annual event will be held on October 22 and 23, 2025.

The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation has been connecting donors’ charitable intentions to community needs for over 30 years.  For more information, visit their website at www.gracf.org or schedule a visit by calling (218) 999-9100.

PHOTO:  Lloyd and Sheila Weeks, Judy Peterson, Carolyn Orlich, Mindy Nuhring of GRACF