ImageCollection of warm winter clothing underway; ends December 14
 
The 21st annual Share the Warmth campaign has kicked off, with over a dozen collection sites around Ithaca and Tompkins County. Donations of new or gently used winter clothing will be gratefully collected, sorted, and distributed across the area by volunteers from a number of partner organizations: Ithaca Rotary Club, Trumansburg Rotary Club, Cornell University, Ithaca College, TC-3, Ecology House Recycling, Finger Lakes Re-Use, and the Samaritan Center of Catholic Charities.
 
ImageThe familiar “red box” collection bins can be found at locations around Tompkins County, including: YMCA, Agway True Value Home Center (Cayuga Mall), Kendal at Ithaca, State Theater Box Office, Wegmans, Island Health & Fitness, GreenStar (Buffalo Street location), Ithaca Agway True Value, Ithaca College Campus Center, P&C Fresh, the TC3 Campus Center, Tompkins Trust in Trumansburg, the Trumansburg ShurSave, and at locations around the Cornell campus. 

Each location will be accessible for a four-week collection period, scheduled to conclude on December 14. Clothes will be picked up and sorted by volunteers for distribution through the Samaritan Center of Catholic Charities. The donated clothing is distributed by Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga free of charge to individuals who need such items for the winter months. 

All winter clothing in good repair is accepted, and there is special need for jackets and coats, sweaters and fleece. Men’s gloves are also in high demand. Each article of clothing donated should be new or gently used for future recipients.

Share the Warmth was initiated by the Ithaca Rotary Club in 1992. Last year, the program distributed more than 4,500 items to nearly 3,000 individuals throughout Tompkins County. Nearly 30% of Ithaca children are eligible to receive free or reduced school lunch. Almost 20% of Tompkins County residents live below the poverty level, compared to 14% state-wide.