The low temperatures forecasted for this week were enough to send a shiver through the people who run Planet Aid, a national nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes.
"Tuesday is going to be 2 degrees," said Brian Hinterleiter, operations manager for Planet Aid. "It's going to be really cold."
The frigid forecast has prompted Planet Aid, which often sends clothing to other countries after disasters such as hurricanes, to announce that it is directing donations of clothing this week to people facing the brunt of this latest cold weather front, including here in the Pittsburgh area. The organization also is calling for donations of used warm weather clothing.
"We're always looking for the opportunity to help local communities," Mr. Hinterleiter said. Other clothing collection and distribution efforts are taking place in cities including Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, representatives from Planet Aid will visit the McKeesport YMCA, located at 604 Evans Ave., to donate warm clothing. People who need items such as blankets, coats, hats and gloves can receive them at the YMCA location, Mr. Hinterleiter said. He said it will be first come, first served, and that Planet Aid hoped to have enough clothing for at least 50 people.
But Planet Aid would like to have clothing available for more people. To meet that goal, the organization is asking people in the greater Pittsburgh area to donate used clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and shoes to support their efforts to keep people warm.
"We take any clothing, but we are looking for this specific drive to help the local communities," Mr. Hinterleiter said. "Jackets, blankets, whatever they can do, to help people in need."
Donations can be dropped off at yellow Planet Aid collection bins. There are 950 bins in Western Pennsylvania, and location of a nearby bin can be found by entering a ZIP code at www.planetaid.org/find-a-bin.
Donations also can be dropped off at Planet Aid's Monroeville warehouse, 616 Beatty Road.
In 2013, Planet Aid processed four million pounds of textiles and shoes through its warehouse, Mr. Hinterleiter said.
First Published: January 6, 2014, 4:03 a.m.
