Running Strong’s Warmth & Wellness programs in the Winter are vital lifelines that meet urgent needs and uphold dignity across Indian Country during the harshest months of the year.
Annual Heat Match Program
Through the Winter Heat Match Program, families contribute $100 toward their propane or electric bills, and Running Strong matches it with $400—enough to heat a home for roughly six weeks. In FY25 alone, 2,410 Oglala Sioux families stayed warm through this support.
from RS for every $100 family contribution
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people served annually
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Critical Winter In-kind
Alongside it, our Holiday and Winter Clothing In-Kind Programs distribute essential winter gear—over 20,000 new coats, boots, hats, gloves, and socks—to children, elders, and families nationwide, helping them face subzero temperatures safely. These efforts go far beyond immediate relief: they provide warmth, security, and peace of mind for families living in regions where wind chills can dip to –40°F and where economic hardship makes heating costs or new clothing unattainable. Today, as inflation and utility prices rise, these programs continue to fill a critical gap—ensuring Native families don’t have to choose between heat, food, or safety, and can instead focus on thriving through the winter season
Winter Coats & Kits distributed each year
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Tribal Communities
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"There are a lot of programs out there for Natives and there are conferences for almost everything. However, it's hard for these kids to see any benefit from those programs personally. Running Strong is one of the few programs or non-profits that actually do something. The kids actually benefit from what Running Strong does. They are helping the Native people."
