By Eleanor Wilson
As we approach the colder months on the calendar, Casey North Community Support & Information Service (CNCISS) are seeking donations of unwanted coats and jackets, as part of its annual Winter Coat Drive.
While Victorians are yet to officially enter the winter months, CNCISS program manager Julie Leonidas said the program was already off to a flying start thanks to leftover stock from last year’s drive.
“We had about 60-70 left over from last year as it was interrupted by Covid and they are already disappearing fast,” she said.
“We’ve probably given away half of them and we’ve only been going for a couple of weeks so we aren’t going to last the whole winter.”
The Coat Drive began five years ago when executive officer Susan Magee noticed clients were visiting the service during winter months without warm clothing, unable to afford coats and jackets.
“Susan had a look in her own closet and found some coats she barely used and decided to give them away to the clients,” Mrs Leonidas said.
She said rising costs of living means the service is expecting a high demand for coats this year.
“There are other priorities people have to put their money towards aside from a winter coat.
“The number of people coming in is increasing and the complex nature of reasons people come in is just increasing also,” she said.
“We’re envisioning things are only going to get tougher.”
The CNCISS Winter Coat Drive operates throughout the winter months, with donations accepted five days a week at the organisation’s Narre Warren location in Verdun Drive.
