A not-for-profit organization on the south side of Peoria is struggling to collect the winter coats it needs for families who can’t afford them.
The Neighborhood House’s annual Coat Giveaway gathers more than 300 coats for children and adults in October. But the aging group of volunteers that typically collects coats hasn’t been able to do it this year. The organization has so far accumulated 100 coats.
Roberta English Simpson is the Fund Development Director for the Neighborhood House. She says residents who use the organization’s services rely on donated coats for their children.
“We want people to donate clean coats that they would put their children in because a lot of it has to deal with self-esteem and just having basic needs. We see kids walking the streets and coming into Neighborhood House without a coat on very cold days. And that’s not acceptable.”
English Simpson says the organization is in need of gently used or new coats in child and adult sizes. Coats can be donated through October 28th at the Neighborhood House. The coats will be distributed on the 30th.
The Neighborhood House is located at 1020 Matthew Street in Peoria, Il. The phone number is 309-674-1131