Salvation Army needs coats for families

Many affected by the recession

With winter jackets in high demand for Calgary families, this might be the biggest year yet for The Salvation Army’s Annual Coat Drive.

Karen Livick, executive director of The Salvation Army in Calgary, said the coat drive originally focused on providing men with winter jackets, but the growing number of struggling families affected by the recession prompted the organization to open up to Calgary families in need.

“Not everyone is prepared for the cold weather popping up,” Livick said. “The drive has really grown over the last number of years because there’s so much demand from families coming in for support.”

Livick added that with the significant changes in Calgary’s economic climate, it’s not just low-income families looking for adequate winter wear.

“A lot of clients these days are middle-income folks who have suddenly lost their jobs,” Livick explained.

Schools around the city have stepped up to collect coats for kids, and Livick said the growing community support over the past few years has been overwhelming.

The Salvation Army’s 14th Annual Coat Drive will be held at McMahon Stadium Sept. 24 while the Calgary Stampeders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 2 p.m. With 5,100 coats donated last year by Stampeders’ fans, The Salvation Army is looking to break that record this year.

Volunteers will be stationed around McMahon Stadium to collect new or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s coats (cash donations are also welcome), which will be distributed at The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope and the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre.