One of the best gifts that you can give during the holidays is warm clothing to a complete stranger. Everyone has some extra “as good as new” winter clothing laying around, whether it’s last year’s jacket that doesn’t fit, or the stripes that are no longer “in” because this year it’s all about the zigzags. Whatever the reason, it’s time to depart with your excess winter baggage and clear out that closet and make room for some more stuff!
For the last 30 years, M&T Bank has been helping to collect winter apparel and accessories for those who need it most. Seeing that there are so many M&T branches around town, it’s as easy as gathering your donation and making a drop-off around the corner. M&T will handle it from there. All of the donated items will be dropped off at The Salvation Army of Buffalo.
“The snowy, cold weather that has now returned to Western New York is a helpful reminder of the need to give back to our community and help our neighbors stay warm during the winter months,” said Jim Jarosz, M&T Bank Group Vice President for Retail Banking in Western New York. “Each year, M&T Bank collects about 3,500 items at local branches during our Gift of Warmth campaign, and this year, with the community’s help, we’re hoping to reach record levels.”
The annual collection campaign was started by one single M&T employee back in 1985. Since that initial drive, nearly 20,000 items have been procured for families all over the region.
“So many children in our community walk to school or wait for their bus without appropriate winter-weather clothing. When times are tough for families, they’re forced to make difficult economic decisions to keep their children fed and a roof over their heads. Donating to M&T Bank’s Gift of Warmth campaign will provide a relief, small but important, to our neighbors in need,” said Major Thomas Applin, Executive Director of The Salvation Army of Buffalo. “We are always so grateful to everyone who supports this drive because it allows us to do even more to protect the less fortunate from our region’s harsh winters.”
M&T Bank; The Salvation Army of Buffalo – ‘Gift of Warmth’ Drive
Drive runs through December 31, 2016
M&T Bank branches throughout Western New York
Giving Back to Our Community and Helping Our Neighbors Stay Warm
Donations can be dropped off at any of the 77 M&T branches throughout Western New York. Branches in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming Counties participate. Most branches are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To find the nearest branch and its hours of operation, individuals should visit https://locations.mtb.com.
In addition to M&T branches, collection bins will also be located at several senior and health care facilities throughout the month of December.