The Salvation Army in New Kensington never declines donations, especially not at this time of year when temperatures begin to dip and need increases.
“We have already accounted for our funding resources to buy children’s coats, and we have a wait list twice as long,” business manager Laurie Suprano said.
“The demand is great. The calls keep coming.”
The Corps’ offices along Third Street partners with Project Bundle Up to distribute warm clothes to more than 100 children and senior citizens each year.
Regionally, the program has raised more than $17 million and provided new winter outerwear for about 305,000 people since 1986.
Applications are open and Suprano said her agency depends on community donations to make sure everyone in need can get coats, hats, gloves and shoes.
Through the program, children up to 18 and senior citizens 62 and older can receive help every two years.
“The people on our waiting list are not repeat clients,” Suprano said. “Still, there are many others who are in need.”
Last year, the Salvation Army got a boost through local schools that collected warm clothes to help the cause.
But the need for clothing in the Alle-Kiski Valley doesn’t end with coats. Shoes also are in high demand as the weather begins to chill and rainy days begin to outnumber sunny ones.
Highlands High School senior Elliot Vunora is hoping to help address that need and have some fun in the process.
The 18-year-old from Harrison is encouraging people to clean out their closets and “cut footloose.”
As a nod to the high school’s recently announced spring musical, the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic “Footloose,” Vunora organized a sock and shoe collection to benefit Alle-Kiski Valley residents.
“I was sitting there thinking about the show and thinking about what I could do to help the communities,” said Vunora, a theater enthusiast who played Prince Ben in last spring’s “The Descendants” and Uncle Fester in 2023’s “The Addams Family.”
“I was thinking through the lyrics of ‘Footloose,’ and it popped straight in my head, ‘Kick off your Sunday shoes.’”
Despite never seeing the hit movie, Vunora credited his mother for helping him to devise the fundraiser.
His goal is to collect at least 100 pairs of new or gently used shoes and new socks to benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches in Harrison.
“I just want people to be safe and have the opportunity to get the shoes they need to keep their feet safe and warm over the winter,” Vunora said.
Karen Snair, AVAC executive director, said she welcomes the help with open arms and guarantees the items will fly out the door.
Nearly 12% of state residents lived below the poverty line in 2022, the most recent year for figures, according to statista.com. That’s about $67,000 for a household of four to spread between costs such as housing, food, utilities and clothes.
Snair’s ministry along Freeport Road has several ways to help, including The Sparrow’s Nest, where people can shop for free clothes, household items, appliances and more.
It is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.
“We are fortunate that people are so generous,” Snair said.
This time of year, needs increase with the start of school and weather changes, she said.
“Kids grow; they need things for school. People need warm clothes,” Snair said.
“People absolutely come in looking for shoes.”
