The weather is getting colder and it is time to launch the ninth annual Winter Warmth Drive. 

This drive started after a conversation I had nine years ago with an unhoused woman at the Tuesday Night Meals Program at First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist, which is a partner in this effort. During the conversation, this woman asked me for some blankets to help keep her warm during the winter. This request led to my starting a project to raise money to buy blankets – and now sleeping bags – for unhoused folks in Cambridge. Over the years we have raised more than $100,000 and bought thousands of bags and blankets that one person said, “saved my life.”

So today we launch this effort again. With the partnership of the Harvard Square Business Association, First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist and Hilton’s Tent City, our goal is to raise $25,000 over the next three weeks. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click:

firstparishcambridge.breezechms.com/form/9ff130

To contribute by check, make it out to First Parish, write “Winter Warmth Drive” on the memo line and mail to First Parish, 3 Church St., Cambridge MA 02138.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Raising this money quickly is the goal, as the weather is changing and supply-chain issues were a problem last year. We are not accepting actual sleeping bags. If you would like to donate physical items, you can do so at 140 Albany St., Cambridgeport, or First Church at 11 Garden St., Harvard Square. Thank you for your help.

Marc McGovern, city councillor