It feels like summer just ended, but cold weather is right around the corner.

Warm winter items, including coats, hats and gloves, will be given out at IMPACT Church, 101 E. First Ave., Parkesburg, on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. Anyone in the community is invited to visit the church that day and pick up winterwear free of charge.

Men's, women's and children's coats will be available in various sizes and styles. Coats will be sorted by sizes for adults and children and displayed on racks in the church's worship center.

"There's always a variety of people that are here right away at 9 a.m.," said Lisa Blank, the church's office manager. "They come through looking for coats and winterwear for their families, for both the kids and adults that come through."

The annual distribution, sponsored by Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach (PCCO), has been held at IMPACT Church for more than 15 years.

The effort has grown throughout the years. In 2020, around 300 coats were given out. That number has grown to 852 coats and 475 accessories handed out last year, some of which are hand-knitted by members of the community.

"We're really grateful for the community in the way that they support it," Blank said. "We got really nice things donated ... It is so very appreciated. We have people who call early in the fall and just check all the dates because it's something they really rely on."

Those who attend the giveaway do not have to provide proof of residency or income, and they will be allotted one coat per individual. Those who receive coats will not be asked to make a donation. Leftover items will be redistributed into the community.

"We're fortunate that there are other organizations in our community that will take things, extra coats that we have," Blank said. "They'll go to some local shelters or other organizations that can pass them along to people in their circles who aren't necessarily in Parkesburg on the day we're doing it."

Visitors at the giveaway will also be provided information about other charitable resources in the area, such as The Parkesburg POINT and The Factory Ministries.

The drive to obtain items for the event started on Sept. 20 and will run through Tuesday, Oct. 13. Donations are accepted at the church at any time. There is a box on the porch to drop donations into. For large donations, call the church office at 610-857-3887 to schedule a time to drop off your donation during office hours, which are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

For more information about the coat drive, contact the church at office@impactpa.church or call the aforementioned phone number. Sunday gatherings at the church are held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. More information about the church is available at http://www.impactpa.church and http://www.facebook.com/impactchurchparkesburg.