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On a chilly night, a warm jacket is a necessity. But many people in this area can’t afford the proper warmth.

That’s why Hamilton police and Crime Stoppers hold an annual coat drive, collecting jackets to be distributed to those who need them. But the program offers more than jackets to those who need them. People also stopped by the Urban Core Community Health Centre in Hamilton to grab a pair of gloves and boots too. The organizer says as the program has grown, more and more people appreciate what’s being offered.

Greg Slack, Hamilton Police: “When we first started the program, there was a little bit of static. But as the program went on and the people saw what we were trying to do, it really did mend some fences there and build some bridges between us and some of the communities here. And ones that may have been a little more hesitant from the start are actually really good friends of ours now.”

Slack says the annual coat drive helps a lot of people in the downtown core.