When migrants spoke to us this week outside of the city rec center serving as an emergency shelter, some wore only thin sweaters and jeans to keep them warm amid cold temperatures.
While community organizers have worked to create comfortable conditions, Denver officials are now calling on the community's goodwill to help provide donations, and winter weather clothing is top on the list.
Here is what officials are in need of:
- New men's underwear
- New women's underwear
- New women's sports bras
- Long-sleeve shirts (men's, women's and unisex)
- Jeans (men's and women's with a special need for size medium)
- New socks (men's and women's)
- New sweatshirts and sweatpants (size small, medium and large for both men's and women's)
- Closed-toed gym shoes (both men's, women's, boys, girls, infants)
- Shoelaces
- Winter coats and pullovers (for men, women, children and infants)
Officials said there is a special need for medium in both men's and women's sizes, as well as winter clothes.
A drop-off location has been set up at Iglesia Ciudad de Dios, at 5255 W. Warren Ave. in Harvey Park, where donations will be accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
"We continue to call on our local faith-based groups, non-profits, and private sector partners to reach out if they're able to support our efforts," the city and county's Joint Information Center (JIC) said in a statement on Saturday. Groups interested in getting involved can contact the Emergency Operations Center at [email protected].
JIC officials on Saturday also released an update on their sheltering efforts. They said 152 migrants are currently staying at the city's emergency shelter while 48 migrants were relocated to a church-run shelter site. An additional 41 migrants arrived at local homeless shelter overnight and 73 migrants are currently preparing to reunite or connect with family and friends and transition out of the city shelter. A total of 13 migrants have left the city shelter on their own.
