Coat Drives & Winter Clothing Resources in Louisiana

Connect with trusted organizations providing free winter clothing and coats for children and families throughout Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, and statewide.

Access Free Winter Clothing Assistance in Louisiana

Louisiana families can access free winter clothing through various community organizations, churches, and nonprofit programs across the state. While Louisiana winters are generally mild, temperatures can drop during cold snaps and winter storms, requiring warm clothing, especially for children. Many organizations provide coats, sweaters, blankets, and other winter essentials at no cost to families in need due to financial hardship.

Important: Many of these programs run on annual cycles, and dates, locations, and availability can change from year to year. We recommend contacting organizations directly or checking their websites to confirm current information before visiting.

Baton Rouge and Capital Region

Pat's Coats for Kids (WBRZ)

Address: 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Phone: (225) 387-2222

Website: wbrz.com/pages/pats-coats-for-kids

How it works:

  • Coats are collected at drop-off locations throughout the fall and winter

  • Distributed directly to schools in the service area

  • Parents don't need to apply or register

  • School counselors and administrators identify children who need coats and coordinate distribution

Parishes served:

  • Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana

  • Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena

  • West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, plus Charter Schools

Drop-off locations:

  • Baton Rouge Clinic locations

  • Neighbors Federal Credit Union branches

  • Coldwell Banker One offices

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Students in participating parishes

Special Notes: Distribution coordinated through schools; contact your child's school counselor for information.

St. Vincent de Paul Louisiana

Address: 220 St. Vincent de Paul Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Phone: (225) 383-7837 

Website: https://www.svdpbr.net/

Services: 

  • Thrift stores with affordable clothing, including winter items

  • Assistance programs providing free clothing vouchers

  • Year-round access to clothing for families in need

  • Deeply discounted clothing is available

  • Families in crisis can receive vouchers for free items through local parish conferences

Cost/Payment: Affordable thrift store prices; free vouchers available for families in crisis

Eligibility: Open to all; voucher eligibility determined by need

Special Notes: Contact local parish conferences for emergency clothing assistance vouchers.

Lafayette and Acadiana

Gifting Grace Project – Coats & Socks Drive

Address: 217 Rue Louis XIV #100, Lafayette, LA 70508

Phone: 337-321-3356

Website: giftinggraceproject.com/coats-and-socks

Services:

  • Annual Coats & Socks Drive collecting winter clothing for children across Acadiana

  • Accepts new and gently used items

  • Distributes to families in need throughout the region

Items accepted:

  • New socks (all sizes for children up to 18 years)

  • New or gently used coats

  • Beanies and gloves

  • Throw blankets

  • Sleeping bags

Drop-off locations:

  • All Community First Bank locations

  • Starbucks Acadiana locations (excluding those inside Target stores)

  • TOP'S Appliances

  • Home Depot Ambassador Caffery

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Children in the Acadiana region

Special Notes: Program runs annually; check website or call for the current year's collection dates.

New Orleans Metro Area

WGNO Coats for Kids

Address: Look for the Coats for Kids donation box at all three Universal Furniture area locations:

  • 333 W. Esplanade Ave in Kenner

  • 1010 E. Judge Perez Dr in Chalmette

  • 555 Lapalco Blvd in Gretna

Website: wgno.com/coatsforkids

Services:

  • Distributed over 80,000 coats to children in need for more than 30 years in the New Orleans area

  • Drive typically runs from November through January each year

Drop-off locations:

  • Full list of locations available here

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Children in the New Orleans metro area

Special Notes: Visit the WGNO website or contact participating sponsors for current collection dates and distribution information.

Shreveport-Bossier Area

KSLA Coats for Kids

Address: 1812 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101

Phone: (318) 222-1212

Website: https://www.ksla.com/page/coats-for-kids/

How the program works:

  • Collection runs from November through early January

  • School distribution typically occurs in December for Bossier and Caddo Parish schools

  • Public giveaway held in January at Porter's Cleaners on Southfield Road in Shreveport

Services:

  • Serving the Shreveport-Bossier area for more than 36 years

  • Partnership with Porter's Fine Dry Cleaners

  • Collects new and gently used coats throughout fall and winter

  • Porter's cleans all donated coats at no charge before distribution

Drop-off locations:

  • Porter's Fine Dry Cleaners locations

  • Ashley Ridge Optical

  • KSLA News Station

  • Participating schools in Bossier and Caddo parishes

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Children in Bossier and Caddo parishes

Special Notes: The Program has a particular need for larger coats that fit older children and teenagers.

Destiny Outreach Ministry

Phone: (318) 230-3894

Website: https://www.destiny-outreach-ministry.com/

Services:

  • Emergency assistance, including food, clothing, and personal hygiene items

  • Year-round support for families in need

  • Winter clothing, when available

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Families in need in the Shreveport and Bossier City area

Special Notes: Contact for current availability of winter clothing items.

Monroe and Northeast Louisiana

Grace Place Ministries Clothing Closet

Address: 1600 Jackson Street, Monroe, LA 71202

Website: https://graceplaceministries.org/clothes-closet/

Services:

  • Free clothing closet for those in need

  • Coats and jackets

  • Gloves, hats, and winter accessories

  • Underwear and socks

  • Shoes and general clothing

  • Coordinates with the ministry's soup kitchen for convenient access

Cost/Payment: Free

Eligibility: Open to those in need

Special Notes: Convenient for families to access both food and clothing assistance in one visit.

Salvation Army Monroe

Address: 105 Hart Street, Monroe, LA 71201

Phone: (318) 325-1755

Website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/ala-lou-mis/monroe/

Services:

  • Thrift store with affordable clothing options

  • Assistance programs for families in need

  • Vouchers for families experiencing hardship

  • Direct assistance available

Cost/Payment: Affordable thrift store prices; free vouchers for qualifying families

Eligibility: Families experiencing hardship may qualify for assistance

Special Notes: Contact the main office for information about vouchers and assistance programs.

How to Find Winter Clothing Help Near You

Louisiana 211 (United Way)

  • Free, confidential service that connects Louisiana residents to health and human services in their community

How to reach 211:

  • Call: Dial 211 from any phone

  • Text: Send your zip code to 898-211

  • Online: Visit louisiana211.org

  • Hours: 24/7, with support available in 161 languages

One Warm Coat

  • National nonprofit that helps connect people with free coats through a network of more than 1,500 partner organizations

How to use their coat locator:

How Nest Health Supports Family Wellness

At Nest Health, we understand that staying healthy means more than just medical care; it includes having warm clothing, stable housing, and access to basic necessities. Our care teams regularly connect families with community resources like clothing banks, food assistance, and social services.

How Nest Health Helps Louisiana Families:

In-Home and Virtual Care:

  • Medical care comes to you—no transportation barriers

  • Care for the entire family in one convenient visit

  • 24/7 access to healthcare providers

Resource Connections:

  • Family advocates connect you with clothing programs in your area

  • Referrals to food banks, utility assistance, and community resources

  • Help navigating social service systems

Whole-Family Approach:

  • Understanding that health includes meeting basic needs

  • Comprehensive care considering your family's complete situation

If you’ve heard about Nest directly from your health plan by phone or mail — or if you see Nest on your health plan’s portal, you can call 866-222-NEST (5378) to confirm eligibility and schedule your family’s first at-home appointment. If you qualify for Nest services through Medicaid or another health plan, there is no additional cost to you.

Resources: