Sponsors of an annual drive to collect coats for the community are extending the donation period through Friday, Sept. 25.
“Coat donations are down quite a bit from last year so we have extended the donation period one week,” said Charlotte Kluza at Trinity United Methodist Church. She is assisting with the church’s fifth annual Community Coat Redistribution project.
People are invited to bring gently used coats and jackets to one of the collection points in Great Bend:
• Master Cleaners, 4600 10th St. Pl. — off the K-96  junction with 10th St.
• Trinity UMC, 5700 Broadway Ave.
• Any Great Bend public school, Holy Family School or Central Kansas Christian Academy.
The drive was scheduled to end Monday, but has been extended through Friday.
“All types of coats and jackets are welcomed and all sizes are needed,” Kluza said. About 700 coats were collected last year, and sponsors are hoping to get at least 500 this year.
The coats will be professionally cleaned courtesy of Master Cleaners.
Then, on Saturday, Oct. 3, people will be able to come to the church between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to choose a coat. There are no income restrictions and no questions asked. Anyone who wants a free coat will be welcome to browse the selection.
Coats not given away then will be taken to Wichita by volunteers from the Live Like Jesus Today ministry in Ellinwood, so they can be given to homeless people.