The Public Library of Hiawatha hosts a coat drive

Hiawatha, Iowa – The goal of the Hiawatha Public Library has been to provide greater resources to the public. It began a number of initiatives to assist individuals last year, and as winter draws near, they aren’t stopping.

The library started a food pantry in the spring and has since given out 26,000 pounds of food. Another resource available in the library is one of the Naloxone vending machines in Linn County.

Their most recent project, a coat drive to support local families this winter, got underway early this month.

Chris Stoner, the director of the Hiawatha Public Library, stated, “We just want to make sure that we have resources available for folks throughout the cold months.” “It’s critical that we all do our part to care for everyone in the community and to genuinely create equitable opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds and situations.”

According to Stoner, the library staff is happy with how the community has responded to their work.

“It really drives home the impact we’re having and makes it all worthwhile to see the words of gratitude we receive from people using the food pantry, coat drive, and other things,” Stoner added.

Volunteers are helping to make these new projects and other library services possible.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a strong group of community volunteers who support us in maintaining the food pantry,” Stoner remarked. “I think I’m just excited to see how we can continue to grow and serve, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past year.”

As long as the coats are clean and in excellent shape, they will continue to collect them. The library is now offering winter clothing items for free until stocks run out as part of an expanded appeal.