More than 4000 packs filled with warm clothes will go out to Bay of Plenty children that need them to stay cosy this winter.

Teaming up with Stoney Creek and Our Backyard Trust, Curate Church will give out 4500 packs with polar fleece clothing – including an over-shirt, pants and a beanie for ‘Kids Winter Warm Up' this Saturday, May 20.

Curate Church's Hayden Reid says they've also been working with schools and community organisations to make sure the clothing is going to the right kids in need.

'Unfortunately in this climate there's an even greater need for children who are living close to the poverty line that really need warm clothing at this time of year,” says Hayden. 'We just really want to be about getting on the ground and see how we can continue to support the community so this is just a small way that we can do that.”

Community connection

As a biennial event, Curate Church last helped out with this initiative in 2021. This year Hayden wants the Winter Warm Up to create more opportunity for people to connect in the community. 'Hopefully, there's more of those organic conversations happening at a level to be able to find out people's stories and whether there's any further needs or things that are required within the community as well. So it's not actually just about the clothes themselves, it's actually about the kids being encouraged.”

At the pick-up event this Saturday, May 20, for nominated kids and whānau, there will also be a Winter Warm Up Party with bouncy castles, sausage sizzles, face painting, music and more.

'We basically just provide an opportunity for [kids and families] to come and have some fun, and know that we want to encourage them and that there's someone who cares about them.” To sponsor a Kid's Winter Warm Up pack, visit: curatechurch.com/winterwarmup