Free Winter Gear: 100 Walls of Love Locations Open for the Eighth Anniversary

Residents in 36 states can pick up free winter clothing and hygiene items from 100 Walls of Love stations this week. The Cleveland-based nonprofit is marking its eighth anniversary with these accessible drop-off points. Individuals walk up to the walls and take a sealed bag containing clothes and toiletries. No registration or questions are required.

The organization began operations in 2018. Founder Holly Jackson stated that she started the group after experiencing financial need herself. "I’ve been that person, and I’ve been in that situation, and I know what it’s like to not have it," Jackson said. Since then, the group has distributed supplies to more than 1.5 million people.

Jackson explained that the team moves the physical walls to different neighborhoods. "We rotate walls because we want people to happen upon them, so to speak, but we also want to make sure that we’re getting them out to the areas where people need them the most," she said. This rotation ensures that supplies reach specific communities facing acute need rather than staying in one fixed location.

In Northeast Ohio, 35 of the 100 locations are active. These sites span Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Portage, and Summit counties. Jackson noted that local supplies often deplete within a few hours of setup. The organization encourages potential recipients to take advantage of the free items without hesitation. "Don’t be embarrassed. Don’t be nervous about coming up to the wall," she advised.

Beyond the clothing walls, the nonprofit runs year-round events, including a scheduled teddy bear drive. The group accepts both monetary gifts and physical product donations. Jackson indicated that the organization plans to expand its reach with support from volunteers, partners, and donors.