Winter coats scarce at homeless agencies

The sudden arrival of winter in Calgary has shelters and social agencies scrambling to come up with warm winter clothes.

A coat drive in the fall only collected about half the usual donations for the Salvation Army's Centre of Hope, officials said.

Now the facility desperately needs warm jackets, especially for its male clients, said Capt. Pam Goodyear, who added there's been a 30 per cent increase in the number of people using its services.

The Calgary Drop-In Centre is facing the same shortage. Officials said people there have had to double up, wearing two light jackets instead of one warm one.

"We are in desperate need of jackets, winter jackets — particularly for men, in any size. And we also need gloves, winter gloves and socks," said Louise Gallagher, the centre's director of volunteer services.

Both agencies are asking the public to donate clean coats that are in good condition.