June 6, 2025 | While summer is near, Delivering Good is reflecting on the impact of this past winter—and already planning ahead to ensure no child goes cold next season. For Cradles to Crayons, providing children with warm, seasonally appropriate clothing is about more than comfort—it’s about dignity, school attendance, and the confidence to thrive. With the support of Delivering Good, their reach continues to grow to meet the urgent needs of children experiencing clothing insecurity across Massachusetts.

Read how this partnership is making a difference—one coat, one child at a time.

Can you share a specific story or moment from a clothing donation that really stood out, either from a caregiver or a child, that encapsulates the importance of providing quality clothing for those in need?

"The recipients are being served by a program that is a domestic violence shelter. Sometimes our participants have to leave their situations quickly, grabbing only what they can—sometimes nothing at all. The help from your agency eases the minds of our clients and reduces stress and uncertainty. They are always extremely grateful. Some even say they don’t know what they would have done without resources like Cradles to Crayons."
— A shelter that received coats from Cradles to Crayons

In addition to winter coats, are there other critical items that Cradles to Crayons is focusing on for the upcoming year, particularly through the Gear Up for Baby initiative, and how can Delivering Good help support these needs?

Cradles to Crayons is committed to ending Clothing Insecurity, which we define as the lack of access to affordable, adequate, and seasonally appropriate clothing. We provide essential items that children need from head to toe—free of charge—so they feel warm, valued, and ready to learn. Looking ahead, we are especially in need of baby and toddler clothing, as well as sneakers. Expanding our partnership with Delivering Good to receive high-quality items in these sizes would be instrumental in meeting the needs of our communities.

What role does the quality and style of the products you receive play in your mission, and how do these elements contribute to the overall dignity and confidence of the children and families you serve?

Our guiding principle Quality = Dignity. Every item we distribute must meet our high standards to ensure each child feels respected and valued. Delivering Good provides brand-new winter coats in a variety of styles and colors, directly supporting this core value. We received overwhelming positive feedback from families whose children were able to stay warm and proud of what they wore. 

How has your partnership with Delivering Good helped Cradles to Crayons expand its reach or impact, and what makes this collaboration meaningful to your mission of supporting children and families in need? 

Last winter, Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts distributed over 50,000 winter coats to children in need—exceeding our initial goal. Delivering Good played a direct role in this increased impact, enabling us to reach additional school districts and communities in need. For next winter, we’ve raised our goal to 58,000 coats. This partnership not only increases our distribution volume—it ensures we can serve both urban and rural families across the state with essential clothing support.

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Cradles to Crayons and Delivering Good share a common goal: ensuring every child has access to the basic essentials they need to thrive. Together, we're proving that when we invest in dignity and quality, the impact reaches far beyond the clothing—it touches futures.