Coat drive hot to trot

DONATIONS to Bendigo Community Health Service’s annual coat drive have exceeded expectations with more than one thousand four hundred of the winter warmers to be distributed to people in need this cold season.

It’s the first time the organisation has asked for coats since the COVID-19 pandemic started, having collected monetary donations over the last few years instead.

BCHS executive leader of communications and community engagement Nicole Ferrie said the response to the coat drive’s return had been extraordinary with 500 coats handed over in the first week alone.

“People were actually contacting us beforehand saying ‘are you doing the coat drive this year?’” she said.

“People really want to help out and they want to know that they are contributing to others in the community being more comfortable.

“We’ve seen an overwhelming response from the community.”

Ms Ferrie said the donations were particularly important this year as people face added pressures due to the pandemic like rising living costs, little disposable income to purchase warm clothes and insecure housing.

Each coat has been cleaned by Pristine Dry Cleaners and will be distributed through the Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat BCHS sites, as well as community houses and partner agencies.

“This is a really good way for us to put jackets out in a place where people are comfortable to walk in without having to talk to anybody and ask for help,” Ms Ferrie said.

“That’s the great thing about it, you can come in, no questions asked, and you can have something that will help you be a little bit more comfortable through the colder months.”

The coat drive ends tomorrow with kids and teen coats still needed. Donations can be dropped off to Pristine Dry Cleaners at 141/157-161 High Street, Bendigo.