Local nonprofit asking for blankets to keep those in need warm this winter

Next weekend, you can give back and help those in need stay warm during these winter months.

Bridging, a local nonprofit, helps Minnesotans transitioning out of poverty and homelessness work toward housing stability.

They provide furniture and home goods for individuals and families such as refugees and people coming from county services or shelters.

Bridging is asking for new, gently used and homemade blankets of all sizes as a part of their third-annual Bring a Blanket for Bridging Drive next Saturday. They especially are in need of queen-sized blankets.

"Need is need," Diana Dalsin, community relations manager, said. "And the majority of our families, when we meet them, a good close to 85%, 90% of them are earning less than $20,000 a year."

The drive-up, drop-off event is taking place at four participating Original Mattress Factory locations in Eagan, Minnetonka, Shakopee and Maplewood on Jan. 15 from 9-11 a.m. Those who donate may also win prizes like gift cards, concert tickets or cash.

"Imagine your house without a bed, a pillow, a blanket, the lamps, the dishes, the silverware, the tables, the couches," Dalsin said. She added that as people clean out their homes during COVID, they may find things they don’t need that Bridging could give to a family.

Dalsin also said a good benchmark for the quality of donated items is whether you’d be embarrassed or comfortable giving it to a neighbor.

You can also get involved by volunteering or making a donation to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Learn more about Bridging here.