What's to blame?
The economy, they say.
Susan Happ and Jennifer Henderson started a winter outerwear drive 16 years ago in South County. This past weekend, they gave away 450 coats in two hours at Berkshire South Community Center, where dozens of people lined up early to get first pick of the clothes.
The last few years, the two have received in excess of 1,200 donations.
This year, it was only 700.
"We're finding that people are financially challenged this year and they're holding on to their clothing longer," said Happ, a school adj u s t m e n t counselor who lives in Sheffield.
"They can't afford a new coat. So we definitely collect less."
Happ and Henderson, a South Egremont parent who runs a day care, started the drive when they were members of the Southern Berkshire Task Force for Families and Children. That group folded but the duo didn't.
"We kept on going because we though it was important," Happ said. "There's a tremendous need."
At the Salvation Army on West Street, Capt. Scott Peabody said more people are visiting the free clothing rack this season. Participation in the food program and pantry is also up.
"There's a dramatic increase," he said. "There's a lot of people in here on a daily basis."
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"We serve a great range," she said. "We see a lot of inmates who are reentering society. We have families. Locals. People who have moved. It's ongoing, and there's definitely a greater need."
At Conte Community School on West Union Street, they're in the midst of the second annual Conte Coats for Kids drive. It collects winter wear for children and families affiliated with the school.
But Amy Skuvel, family center coordinator at Conte, said there aren't enough clothes to fill all the requests.
"We're running short on snow pants and boots," she said. "We don't have enough clothes to meet the needs."
Conte resides in one of the city's poorest sections, as evident by the participation in the free and reduced- cost lunch programs at the school, which run at more than 80 percent.
At a glance
Anyone who would like to donate winter clothes for the needy can visit the following locations:
Conte Community School 200 West Union St., Pittsfield (413) 448-9660, ext. 25
The Christian Center 193 Robbins Ave., Pittsfield (413) 443-2828
Salvation Army 298 West St., Pittsfield (413) 442-0624
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