Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council hoping to keep people warm this winter

Winter jackets are being collected at a variety of locations across the province to keep those in need warm this winter.

The initiative done by Saskatchewan Waste Council is an aim to divert clean, mendable jackets out of landfills.

Volunteers will fix the clean jackets that are handed in and then donate them to local organizations.

There are drop off sites across the province including one in Regina and Saskatoon.

In the Queen City people can drop off their clean and gently used jackets to be repaired at the Dean Renwick Design Studio.

Owner, Dean Renwick said that he decided to be a collection point because one of his employees saw it last year and thought it would be a good initiative to take part in.

He said that there are way more jackets donated this year.

“We’ve gotten I would say close to 20-25 jackets so far, and last year I think we got maybe four or five,” Renwick said.

He added with the extreme cold more jackets were coming in to the studio.

“I think the cold has triggered people to clean out their closets and realize that they have stuff in their closet and that they can pass them on to people in need,” Renwick said.

He added that last week he received six or seven jackets.

“Even my sister cleaned out her closet and brought in a few of her old ones,” Renwick said.

He expressed the importance of giving back, which is why he decided to be a part of the initiative.

“We all take, take and take but you’ve got to give back and give back in the right places and make sure everybody else is able to stay warm and stay healthy,” Renwick said.

“The more you give back the better your heart is, the better your soul is,” he said.

Renwick added that while the jackets are being donated to his design studio, he is not the one fixing them.

A lot of the jackets need new zippers so he has set aside zippers for the volunteers.

Renwick said it is nice to see the community give back to those in need.

He added that people who are in need of the jackets are getting them as soon as they are fixed.

Last year, a total of 172 winter items were given to those in need.

Drop off sites are located in:

• Saskatoon at Better Off Duds
• Lloydminster at Country Quilts and Stitches
• Moose Jaw at The Wandering Market
• Estevan at Estevan Church of God