“The need is really great,” said Regina Suhrbier, outreach coordinator for CHC. “I think people would be amazed to know how many kids are just in need of winter basics.”

Kids in school can’t go outside during the winter for recess if they don’t have the proper attire, she said.

“We’re just trying to help kids have the basic winter coat, hats and gloves,” Suhrbier said. “When possible, when we get donations for snow pants and boots, that’s wonderful.”

The Coats for Kids drive was started by Shimkat Motor Co. more than 10 years ago and has partnered with CHC for the program for the past several years.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen TJ Pingel, general manager of Shimkat Motors, holds up one of the coats donated for the Coats For Kids program as Regina Suhrbier, outreach coordinator for Community Health Center of Fort Dodge looks over a vehicle full of other donated coats in the dealership’s showroom. The dealership and the health center partner in the program to collect coats and other winter wear for children.

“Shimkat is a wonderful partner,” Suhrbier said.

For the next six weeks, drop-off locations around Fort Dodge will be accepting new or gently used clean coats, gloves, hats, snow pants and boots. Locations include Shimkat Motor Co., 3126 Fifth Ave. S.; Coldwell Banker, 1728 Central Ave.; Mineral City Mill and Grill, 2621 Fifth Ave. S.; Olde Boston’s Restaurant and Pub, 809 Central Ave.; Sports Page Bar and Grill, 2707 N. 15th St.and Papa Murphy’s Pizza, 2813 Fifth Ave. S.

All sizes are needed, from infant and toddler sizes to adult sizes for middle and high schoolers.

“It’s important to keep in mind that a middle school kid might wear an adult-sized coat,” Suhrbier said. “That’s a very common thing.”

Collection of the coats and winter gear will run through Nov. 15.

Coats for Kids also accepts monetary donations for the purchase of coats.

Donors can mail a check to the Community Health Center with “Coats for Kids” in the memo line.

Once volunteers and staff sort through the donations, they’re able to see what size ranges they’re missing and purchase those sizes to help fill those needs.

Because of COVID-19, changes have been made for the coat distribution. This year, the health clinic will host a drive-thru distribution from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 21. Anyone needing a child’s coat or other winter gear can drive up to the front of Community Health Center at 126 N. 10th St. and staff will greet them at their vehicle, collect the sizes needed and deliver the coats directly to the vehicles.

“We do work with school counselors to help identify kids who are definitely in need, but anyone can come the day of the distribution,” Suhrbier said.

Coat drop-off locations

• Shimkat Motor Company, 3126 Fifth Ave. S.

• Coldwell Banker, 1728 Central Ave., No. 1

• Mineral City Mill and Grill, 2621 Fifth Ave. S.

• Olde Boston, 809 Central Ave., No. 110

• Sports Page, 2707 N. 15th St.

• Papa Murphy’s Pizza, 2813 Fifth Ave. S.

Monetary donations can be mailed to Community Health Center, 126 N. 10th St.