The Salvation Army is collecting coats for school-age children again this year, and they are relying on more individual donors.
The organization is hoping to collect enough money and new or slightly used coats this year to help 3,000 kids from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Salvation Army Capt. Diana Gomes says they distributed 2,000 coats in the city last year, and it wasn’t enough. “It’s very hard because it’s first come, first served, and the families are in line by the time we open. Like said, by noon [on distribution day], we were done with most of the large coats.”
She says they are hoping for more community contributions because one of the organization’s major donors is supporting other programs this year instead of Coats for Kids.
Salvation Army Communications manager Thomas Brown says they are also anticipating a greater need because of the economic downturn. He says Salvation Army officers around the state are receiving more requests for help, especially for seniors.
You can find ways to donate through the Salvation Army Alaska Facebook page. They’re collecting coats through September 24.
Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her at ahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anne here.
