Free Winter Coats for Kids in Raleigh & Durham (2026)

Quick Answers

Raleigh and Wake County: Salvation Army coat giveaway, 1863 Capital Blvd., Wednesdays in October, 9–11 a.m., and Saturdays, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–noon. Walk up with ID and proof of Wake County residency.

Durham: Children's Clothing Closet, 3218 N. Roxboro St., Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, 4–6 p.m. Drive up. Sizes newborn through youth 16.

Wake Forest: coats for children and teens, Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Alston-Massenburg Center.

Note in the Pocket (Wake and Durham): referral only. Ask your child's school social worker.

Durham kids 0–5: Welcome Baby's Giving Closet, Fridays, by appointment.

Nothing fits? Dial 2-1-1.

Giveaway days you can walk up to

Salvation Army of Wake County (Raleigh)

WRAL's Coats for the Children drive collects for Salvation Army families. The Salvation Army of Wake County posted its 2026 giveaway schedule on Facebook in October:

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–noon: Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 2026.

Wednesdays in October, 9–11 a.m. That leaves Oct. 14, 21 and 28.

Where: 1863 Capital Blvd., Raleigh.

Adults bring: a Wake County ID and proof of residency, such as a lease or utility bill in your name.

For each child: one form of ID, such as a Social Security card, Medicaid card, school record or birth certificate.

The post lists no sign-up. Questions: 919-834-6733.

Children's Clothing Closet (Durham)

This ministry at Braggtown Baptist Church, 3218 N. Roxboro St., gives away children's clothing on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 4–6 p.m. Fall dates left: Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17. You stay in your car and volunteers bring out your children's sizes, newborn through youth 16. In winter, children also get jackets, hats and mittens. A family may come once in the fall and once in the spring. The site lists no sign-up or ID rule. Email: clothingclosetministry@gmail.com.

Wake Forest: Warm Your Hearts with Coats

The town's parks department collects coats, then gives them all to children and teens who need a winter jacket on Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St. The town's notice mentions no registration or residency rule. Questions: 919-554-6189.

Durham Rescue Mission community dinners

Not coat events, but "free clothing items" are given away at both: Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day) and Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 1201 E. Main St., Durham. Coats are not promised. Call 919-688-9641.

Not posted yet: Lamar Cares (Lamar Homes, Raleigh) says its winter Coat 'Cause We Care Giveaway provides free coats to families in need. It listed no 2026 date as of Oct. 13. Watch Instagram, @Lamarcares919.

Programs you sign up for

Salvation Army clothing vouchers (Wake County)

The same office issues clothing vouchers to 35 families a week. Call 919-834-6733 on Friday at 8 a.m. to book a Monday morning appointment. Vouchers are $35 per person from October through March and work only at the Salvation Army Family Store. From October through February, free coats are available to those receiving vouchers. Wake County residents only, once every six months. Bring a photo ID for yourself and a Social Security card, birth certificate or medical card for each family member.

Welcome Baby Giving Closet (Durham County)

For Durham County residents who are pregnant or caring for children ages 0–5. It is free and by appointment only, on Fridays at 721 Foster St. Families may visit once every other month. Last season, coats from its annual drive (newborn to 8 years) were given out at Giving Closet visits. 2026 coat drive dates were not posted as of Oct. 13; last year it ran Nov. 17, 2025, to Jan. 9, 2026. Request an appointment at welcomebaby.org/giving-closet or call 919-560-7150.

Referral through your child's school

Note in the Pocket (Wake and Durham counties)

Parents cannot request clothing here. A referral partner, such as a school social worker, sends in your child's sizes and needs. Note in the Pocket packs about two weeks of clothing, with new socks and underwear, shoes and seasonal outerwear as needed, and delivers it to the school or agency. Its Pocket Pop Ups let families pick clothing at no cost, but no dates were posted as of Oct. 13.

What to ask at school

Wake County schools: ask the school social worker or counselor to send a Note in the Pocket request.

Durham Public Schools: same ask. Families who qualify under McKinney-Vento (doubled up, in a motel or in a shelter) can also use the district's Family Resource Closet. The district liaison is at 919-560-3927.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County: Christmas House, run by the Chapel Hill Service League, takes families referred by school social workers. Parents choose new toys, books and coats at a one-day event. The 2026 date was not posted as of Oct. 13, so ask your school social worker now. Phone: 919-590-0752.

If you need a coat this week

Raleigh, no paperwork: With Love From Jesus, 421 Chapanoke Road, gives out clothing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Arrive after 10 a.m.; the lot closes at 11:30. No ID, referral or proof of income needed. Coats depend on donations.

Kids up to size 6T: Catholic Parish Outreach, 2013 Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh, has clothing for birth through preschool, once every 30 days, as donations allow. It serves Wake, Franklin and Johnston families, 9 a.m.–noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays. 919-873-0245.

Durham: Urban Ministries of Durham's Clothing Closet, 410 Liberty St., Thursdays, 10 a.m.–noon, free of charge, with clothes for children and infants. Bring a photo ID with a Durham address. Coats are not listed, so call 919-682-0538 first.

Anywhere: dial 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162. NC 211 is free and confidential.

For clothes beyond coats, see our guides to free and cheap kids' clothes and free and low-cost family resources.

Want to give instead?

Wake Forest: drop new or clean, gently used coats, any size, Oct. 19–31 at the Alston-Massenburg, Flaherty Park or Joyner Park community centers.

Note in the Pocket: year-round. The greatest need is boys' and girls' sizes 5–18. Drop off at 4730 Hargrove Road, Raleigh, or 1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Durham.

Welcome Baby (Durham): coats, hats, gloves and scarves, newborn through 8 years. 2026 drive dates were not posted as of Oct. 13.

WRAL Coats for the Children: the 2026 campaign was not posted as of Oct. 13. Last year, participating Jiffy Lube locations took coats through Dec. 31. Check wral.com/coats.

To bring kids along, see volunteering with kids by age.

Timeline at a glance

Wednesdays, Oct. 14, 21 and 28, 9–11 a.m.: Salvation Army coat giveaway, Raleigh.

Oct. 19–31: Wake Forest coat drop-off.

Tuesdays, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, 4–6 p.m.: Children's Clothing Closet, Durham.

Saturdays, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–noon: Salvation Army coat giveaway, Raleigh.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Wake Forest coat distribution.

Nov. 26 and Dec. 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Durham Rescue Mission community dinners.

Through February: free coats with a Salvation Army clothing voucher.

Not posted yet: WRAL Coats for the Children, Welcome Baby's coat drive, Christmas House, Lamar Cares' giveaway.

The Bottom Line

There are three doors: walk up on a giveaway day, book an appointment, or ask the school social worker to send a request. It is fine to use more than one. Bring the ID each program asks for, and check the organizer's page before you drive, because dates and stock change.