CLEARFIELD – An old winter coat could find new use this winter season.
“People hold on to them and have a collection in the back of their closet,” Stacy LoCastro, deputy director of Central PA Community Action, said. “But dig them back out. They could keep someone else warm.”
LoCastro said Community Action’s Winter Coat Program started about four years ago but on a much smaller scale. She said the winter coat needs locally were brought to their attention by those who participated in other offered programs.
“We collected just a few and gave them out,” she said. She said they, however, provided 60-plus coats during last year’s program. She said they have already received calls about the program, as cold weather has set in.
She said they currently have a big need for winter coats. Due to limited space, she said they had to donate coats that were left over from last year’s program to the Salvation Army.
LoCastro said while any coat or jacket will be accepted, they are looking for a thicker, winter-type coats. She said they prefer the coats to be both clean and in good condition, however.
“Just a nice thick, warmer coat,” she said. She said their biggest need is always for the larger men’s sizes and children’s coats.
She noted that if a particular size or style isn’t available, they collect contact information from the person or family in need. She said they contact these individuals later, when the size or style becomes available.
LoCastro said they only have five or six coats left from last year’s program. She said they’re aiming to get this year’s program under way by the beginning of November.
For additional information about the program or to make a donation, please contact Central PA Community Action at (814) 765-1551 or (800) 822-2610. Click here to visit CPCA online.
Community Action was established on Nov. 14, 1965 and incorporated into Central PA Community Action, INC on Dec. 14, 1967.
CPCA was established to provide services to families and individuals with low to moderate incomes in both Clearfield and Centre Counties. Their mission is “strengthening communities across the two counties by helping families become self-sufficient.”
CPCA currently has six outreach locations in Clearfield, DuBois, Bellefonte, Houtzdale, Philipsburg and Millheim.
