If indeed we do take our coats for granted, it may somehow be related to a belief that everyone should own one. Salvation Army Lancaster has taken that belief and transformed it into a goal.

At 131 S. Queen St., Lancaster, the Salvation Army is giving away coats, lots of coats, coats with sale tags still on them - along with gloves and hats and scarves - all in an effort to weather the coming cold months. This initiative is being referred to as Coats for Kids, and the aim is to make sure every child in Lancaster County has a brand-new coat this winter.

"We live in Pennsylvania," said Shady Boules, operations and development manager for Salvation Army Lancaster. "It gets really cold here. For some people, coats seem very basic. We take them for granted. But there are so many families who can't buy coats."

Coats for Kids' distribution process kicked off on Oct. 17, and to this point more than 1,700 new coats have been given to families in need. Boules estimated that by the end of the winter season in March, Salvation Army Lancaster will have distributed as many as 3,000 coats.

There are requirements to receive a coat, and each child is limited to one coat per season. Individuals can still get coats by calling 717-397-7565 before the end of February 2024.

"Families can come to our building and pick their own coats, even their own colors," said Boules. "We treat everyone with dignity and respect. Some just pick their coats out and put them on immediately. We've had people asking since the summer, 'When are you going to distribute the coats?' We've heard moms say, 'If there were no Coats for Kids, I'm not sure what I'd do.'"

While Coats for Kids is just one of the many community-oriented services it performs, Salvation Army Lancaster is merely a facilitator, the link between a generous community and those in need. The coats are purchased through donations from individuals, businesses and other organizations, and some local churches even go as far as conducting their own coat drives to support Coats for Kids.

Two Salvation Army Lancaster staff members shop for coats throughout the year, always on the lookout for bargains. Boules said that when some local stores find out that the outerwear is being purchased for Coats for Kids, they will intentionally discount their merchandise.

"We're just the bridge from the donors to our neighbors in need," said Boules. "We don't own the coats. It's a community event. We feel blessed with a lot of generous donors. The need is great, and we can't do this alone. When we see the families coming in, it fills us with joy and gives us passion for what we do."

Coats for Kids, which Boules referred to as one of the Salvation Army's "necessary" and "essential" programs, was started in 1994. Coats for Kids has already given away nearly 800 more coats than the 950 it distributed in 2022.

"I don't think it's something that will ever be compromised," said Boules. "These are our neighbors in Lancaster County. We've seen every year, as the need has grown, the generosity of the donors has grown as well. It's a lot of work, but it's amazing."

For additional information about Salvation Army Lancaster's Coats for Kids, go to https://pa.salvationarmy.org/lancaster-pa/CFK.