Warm Up Columbia is an annual drive coordinated by VAC and churches in our community. Warm items such as coats, blankets, scarves, gloves, hats, and socks are collected and given to low-income families, elderly, homeless, and disabled individuals.

Items are collected at Commerce Bank and at participating churches. Public distribution of collected items then takes place on a Saturday morning in October at the Armory (701 East Ash Street). Items are given out on a first come, first served basis. In 2012, more than 5,000 winter items were collected for more than 700 local people.

To volunteer during the sorting or distribution of items, call VAC at 874-2273.

If your church or business would like to coordinate a coat and blanket drive as a part of this effort, please call VAC at 874-2273.

Representatives from other agencies whose clients would benefit from warm items from the drive should contact the project director, Ron Schmidt, projdir@vacmo.org to make arrangements.