Walls of Kindness

Share the warmth. Spread the kindness.

Returning for its fifth year and running from November 13 to 27, the Walls of kindness is an initiative aimed at collecting 2,000 warm coats for people experiencing homelessness. Montrealers are invited to generously donate pre-loved jackets and parkas by hanging them on the hooks of two temporary walls installed at the intersections of Frontenac and Sherbrooke, and Sainte-Catherine and Bourbonnière.

Launched by Renaissance Québec, this campaign is in partnership with the Old Brewery Mission, an organisation that has been working to break the cycle of homelessness for over 135 years. All coats collected will be handed over to the organization, which will then distribute them to those in need.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Québec has risen sharply. Between 2022 and 2025, homelessness has jumped by 20%. Today, more than 12,000 people are estimated to be experiencing homelessness and over 5,000 of them are in the Montréal region. Encampments increasingly visible across the city make the situation impossible to ignore.

These figures demonstrate the importance of coming together to address this pressing issue. Donating a coat to support someone experiencing homelessness get through colder months is profoundly impactful. Since every gesture counts, why not also take the opportunity to tuck a warm hat, mittens, and a scarf into one of the sleeves!

Starting November 13, on World Kindness Day, Renaissance will collect coats hung by community members on its two coat walls twice a day. The donations will be delivered to the Old Brewery Mission on December 1st, in celebration of Giving Tuesday, a global movement launched 15 years ago to counterbalance the overconsumption associated with Black Friday.

Customers at Renaissance stores are also encouraged to show their generosity by purchasing gift cards, which will go directly to the Old Brewery Mission, allowing the organization to prioritize the most urgent needs of the people it serves.

Thank you for being part of the movement!