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This is the time of year Nickee Bender, administrative assistant at The Salvation Army, begins to get nervous. With colder temperatures looming, she said she knows people will be in need of coats, scarves and mittens. Bender said she is already fielding calls from people worried about being able to stay warm as the temperatures begin to drop.

Last year The Salvation Army handed out 986 coats and jackets. She said the items they give out are not near where they need to be this time of year, and she is asking the public to donate jackets, coats, scarves, boots and mittens.

“We do this each year — it's what we do,” Bender said. “I am already getting calls from people inquiring whether we will again have our coat drive, and the answer is yes, but I am telling you we are in need of items and it worries me that our stockpile us not near where it should be for this time of year.”

The Salvation Army holds this annual coat drive to help stock three rooms at their agency. Each year, the drive yield almost 500 coats. They also collect blankets. This year, the numbers are significantly down. Bender said she worries The Salvation Army may not have enough to meet the demand.

“Normally, we have these rooms stacked, and I can tell you they are not this year,” Bender said. “We never used to have problems getting these items donated, but more people sell these at garage sales.”

Bender said she had a few women in the community she can call to have them knit some scarves and gloves, but what she said she really needs people to do is open their closets and take out the gently used items and donate to the location on 106 W. Exchange Street in Freeport. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bender said the collection dates are from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9. She said children's coats and snow pants are also needed, for sizes 8, 10, 12 and 14. She said boots of all sizes are needed, especially for children.

“This is a plea to the public — it's the kindness of strangers that we depend on at The Salvation Army,” she said.

Bender said the winter clothing and blanket give-away dates are still to be determined. She said while calls are beginning to come in for requests, she wants to see what they have before items will be given to those in need.