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Cape Breton organizations that give out clothing to people in need are having trouble keeping their closets full.
Some say it’s because a recent blast of winter weather has people scrambling to bundle up, while others are pointing toward a drop in donations.
At the Undercurrent Youth Centre in Glace Bay, N.S., staff run a twice-weekly comfort closet that provides free clothing and other items such as toiletries.
This year, as soon as the comfort closet receives donations of winter gear, those items are quickly being snatched up.
“There’s an enormously increased need,” said Trevor DenHartogh, Undercurrent’s executive director.
“We have such a high turnover rate with our clothing. We’re always needing to replenish the shelves. You name it: pants, sweaters, shirts, jackets. We get some folks coming in looking for things that they can wear to job interviews.”
DenHartogh said because the weather turned cold this year earlier than usual, winter coats are in heavy demand.
The Glace Bay non-profit was running its comfort closet for youth clients but recently opened it up to the wider community. DenHartogh said he was surprised by the response.
“There’s a really big need for men’s clothing, hygiene products and — especially right now because of the weather — warm clothing, jackets, gloves, hats, et cetera.”
Pauline Randell is with the Salvation Army Community Church in Sydney, which runs a program called Clothe-a-Family. Over the past year, it has helped roughly 250 people stay warm.
“There are a lot of times that we don’t have what people request,” said Randell.
“Sadly, this year we haven’t had a whole lot of donations given to us and so it’s been hard to say we don’t have anything for you.”
Christine Porter runs the Ally Centre in Sydney, which helps members of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s vulnerable population including substance users and people who are precariously housed.
They put out a call for donations of warm winter clothing in October, but there are some items that are always in short supply.
“People are always looking for gloves or mittens,” said Porter. “It’s one of those articles of clothing that you tend to leave on the bus or leave in the store.”
Randell said she and other non-profit leaders who provide free clothing to the public will welcome any new or gently used items.
She said it’s about helping people who are in a pinch.
“We don’t want anyone to be left out in the cold with no mitts or no hat. It is really hard when we have to say we don’t have what you need.”
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