Coats for the Community Program in Clearwater County

Wed, 11/04/2026 - 11:23am admin

United Way Coats for the Community Program in Clearwater County

When temperatures drop in Minnesota, a warm coat can make all the difference.

Thanks to the support of neighbors across the area, more than 425 winter items were

collected and distributed at the United Way’s Coats for the Community program in

Clearwater County this fall.

On October 29, the Bagley American Legion was filled with coats, boots, snow pants,

hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for everyone from infants to adults. About 100

neighbors received winter essentials and are headed into the season a little warmer and

a little more prepared.

Many of these families are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

ALICE households work hard and earn above the poverty line but still can’t cover the

basic cost of living. In Clearwater County, more than 4 in 10 households fall below the

ALICE threshold. A free winter coat means more of their paycheck can go toward rent,

groceries and heat. Learn more at unitedforalice.org.

This effort would not be possible without the community behind it. United Way extends a

big thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and spread the word. Special

thanks go to our program partners:

 Bagley Rotary Club

 Galen’s Fresh Food Market and Do it Best Home & Hardware

 Sanford Bagley Medical Center

 Bagley Flyers, Student Council

 The Bagley American Legion, for hosting distribution day

Still need winter gear? The remaining coats and winter items are available at

Community Resource Connections, 13 Central St West, Bagley, MN 56621. Anyone in

need is welcome to stop by.

To learn more about United Way in Clearwater County, visit unitedwaybemidji.org.