Donating blankets is one of the simplest ways to help people experiencing homelessness. A warm blanket can protect someone from the cold, improve their rest, and even save lives during the winter. You can donate blankets for the homeless in the United States through national charitable organizations—such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Goodwill—or directly to local shelters, rescue missions, and community assistance groups. Many organizations also conduct seasonal blanket drives, especially during the winter, making it easy to contribute both in person and by mail.
National Organizations Accepting Blanket Donations
Blankets of Hope (NYC-based / National)
This is a non-profit educational organization that partners with schools to teach empathy to students. Generally, they do not accept physical blanket donations from the general public. Instead, they use monetary donations to purchase and ship blankets to schools, where students write letters of encouragement before delivering the blankets to local shelters.
How to Donate: You can make a financial donation online through the Blankets of Hope website. A donation of $5 to $7 typically covers the cost of one blanket.
Business and School Participation: If you are part of a business or a school, you can sign up for a “BOH @ Work” workshop or a school workshop; the organization will ship the blankets to you so that your team or students can prepare them and donate them to a local shelter of your choice.
Blankets of Hope – Berks (Pennsylvania)
This organization focuses on providing soft fleece blankets to shelters, veterans, and seniors—specifically in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.
How to Donate: They primarily accept monetary donations ($5 per blanket) through their official website to maintain efficiency and reduce overhead costs.
Contact for Physical Item Donations: If you are located in the Reading, PA area and would like to inquire about physically dropping off items, you can contact them by calling (610) 223-8085 or by sending an email to blanketsofhopepa@gmail.com.
Blankets to the Streets
Blankets to the Streets is a non-profit organization (501(c)3 status) that focuses specifically on providing emergency supplies to people experiencing homelessness throughout the United States. This organization distributes emergency blankets and supplies directly to homeless individuals across the country.
Unlike traditional shelters, which often collect used household bedding, Blankets to the Streets operates primarily through a monetary donation model. This allows them to:
- Purchase specialized items: They acquire life-saving Mylar emergency blankets (thermal material), survival gear, and COVID-19 prevention supplies.
- Ensure portability: Mylar blankets are lightweight and waterproof, making them ideal for people living on the streets who need to carry their belongings with them.
- Expand distribution: They utilize a 100% volunteer-run network (including many former beneficiaries) to distribute these items directly at “street level.”
You can contribute directly through their official website.
If you have lightly used household blankets that you would like to donate in person, you might consider these alternatives, as Blankets to the Streets typically focuses on survival blankets purchased in bulk:
- Providence Rescue Mission (RI): Accepts physical donations of blankets and clothing 24/7 for its overnight residents.
- Amos House (RI): Accepts blankets for its social services programs.
- The Bowery Mission (NY): Explicitly includes blankets on its list of “needed items” for its main facility.
- Blanket the Homeless: A San Francisco-based initiative that distributes care packages containing emergency blankets and socks.
Helpful tip: If your blankets are heavily worn, most local animal shelters will gladly accept them to use as bedding for rescued pets.
Homeless Memorial Blanket Project (National/Philadelphia)
This is a prominent annual project in which volunteers from across the country crochet or knit blankets to create a massive “quilt” that is displayed in the West Garden of the U.S. Capitol or in Philadelphia. The 2024 exhibition featured nearly 1,000 blankets. The goal is to raise awareness about individuals who pass away while experiencing homelessness.
How to Donate: Once the exhibition concludes, the blankets are distributed to families and individuals in need. You can visit the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project website to check upcoming collection deadlines, as well as to find patterns for knitting 7 x 9-inch sections or full-sized blankets.
“1000+ Blankets” Campaign by Miracles R Real (Houston, TX)
This organization conducts an annual “Miracles R Real Blanket Campaign,” with the specific goal of collecting over 1,000 brand-new blankets for people living on the streets of Houston.
What They Need: New twin-sized blankets, as well as gloves, socks, and personal hygiene kits.
How to Donate: You can mail blankets directly to their outreach center, or purchase them online and have them shipped to the following address:
Address: Miracles R Real Outreach, Inc. (Houston, TX).
Christine’s Blankets
To make a donation to Christine’s Blankets—a Florida-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—you may donate new blankets or used blankets in good condition, provided they are clean and free of rips or stains. The organization specifically serves individuals experiencing homelessness in Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Marion, Putnam, and Alachua counties.
How to Donate Physical Items
Collection Bins: Donation bins are located at various businesses and religious institutions throughout Volusia County. Specific locations currently available include:
118 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL
1000 Old Tomoka Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
Pickup Coordination: If you have a large-volume donation or are near a bin that is already full, you can contact them to coordinate the pickup of your items.
What They Accept:
- Blankets: Dark colors are preferred (for practical use on the street), as are lightweight, easy-to-carry styles.
- Other Essentials: During the colder months, they also accept socks, beanies, mittens, gloves, and lightweight jackets—whether new or used in good condition.
- Hygiene and Summer Items: During the warmer months, travel-size insect repellent, sunscreen, and bottled water are accepted.
To check for the most up-to-date bin locations or to schedule a pickup, you can contact them at:
Phone: (386) 290-5663
Email: christinesblankets@gmail.com
Local Places to Donate Blankets
Homeless Shelters: Local shelters often have an immediate need for warm bedding, especially during the winter. You can find them by searching for “emergency shelter near me” or by visiting the Atlanta Mission’s guide for general advice.
Animal Shelters: If your blankets are too worn or stained for human use, most animal shelters will gladly accept them to use as bedding for the animals.
Location-Specific Nonprofits:
Massachusetts: The Wish Project (North Chelmsford) and Project Just Because (Hopkinton) provide blankets and household items to families in need.
Rhode Island: Angel in Action RI (West Warwick) accepts essential daily-use items, including household goods.
Washington, D.C.: SOME (So Others Might Eat) has a designated drop-off point for donations at 71 O Street NW.
Helpful Tip: Always wash your blankets before donating them. Many organizations cannot process soiled items and may be forced to discard them.
Can you donate directly to homeless individuals?
Yes, many people choose to hand out blankets directly to individuals they encounter on the street. While this can provide immediate aid, experts often suggest partnering with organizations to ensure that items reach those who need them most and are distributed safely.
Tips Before Donating
- Ensure that the blankets are clean and in good condition.
- Call ahead to confirm that the organization accepts blankets.
- Some locations only accept new items due to hygiene regulations.
- Consider donating winter or thermal blankets for colder regions.
