Join us in making the holidays a little warmer for all

Hi. We're your neighbors. Figuratively speaking, of course...but in some cases, maybe literally. This holiday clothing drive was founded by a group of Lower Haight residents who live on Oak Street between Steiner and Fillmore: Michele & Jesse Foster; Annalee Levin & Ryan O'Malley; and Chris Myers. Over the years, our group has grown to include other friends and neighbors in the nearby community—special thanks to Sarah Lewington, Robyn Sandberg, and JoAnn McManus for joining to help as our efforts have expanded. As clichéd as it may be, we are working to do what we can to make the neighborhood a little bit brighter. We appreciate any and all of the donations made to this cause and hope this inspires future acts of kindness in and around our wonderful 'hood.

We started A Close-Knit Community in December 2014 as a way to help the clients of First Friendship, a local church which provides overnight shelter to those in the community who have no place to call home. In the spirit of the holiday season, we organized a clothing drive to help the shelter's patrons stay warm for the winter. Local business proprietors graciously assisted by providing collection bin drop-off points throughout the month. The folks at Hoodline got word of our efforts and posted an article on their blog which helped spread the word, and the community responded with hundreds of donations. Since then, various Lower Haight merchants have partnered with us as collection points for our holiday clothing drive, and the local community has responded generously each year. More than 1,000 cold-weather clothing items have been collected for and distributed to the First Family Shelter patrons over the past five years—truly meaningful holiday gifts for those who need a little warmth the most.
Last year, Close-Knit Community donors helped ensure that more than 40 patrons of the First Family Shelter —children aged two to thirteen—woke up on Christmas morning to a gift of warmth for the holidays.

"It is difficult for the families and children to be at the shelter. Christmas morning is when we finally get to see some smiles. Our deepest gratitude for your generosity!"
—Monica,
First Family Shelter Supervisor
This year, we are hoping to once again make the holidays a little warmer for our neighbors. Please join us in our effort to provide the children and young adults staying at First Friendship Shelter with diapers, school supplies, and new cold-weather gear for the winter. The shelter is home to dozens of children—from toddlers to preteens—who have no home for the holidays. Your donation truly gives the gift of warmth beyond a new piece of clothing.

Collection boxes can be found at three local Lower Haight merchants, click here for a listing and map. If you have any additional questions about the clothing drive, questions or suggestions, send us a message at closeknitters@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest and for being part of our community!
Photos from our previous clothing drives to benefit the patrons of First Friendship Shelter in Lower Haight (click to enlarge). Over the past five years, more than 1,000 items have been collected and delivered to shelter patrons on Christmas Eve.
​Our thanks to Mike Gaworecki, who helped us spread the word in 2014 via ​his article on Hoodline.