An area church will hand out 500 coats Wednesday as part of a long-time outreach effort to help those in need.
Grace Christian Fellowship will begin the event at 5 p.m. in the farmer's market pavilion at the Black River Coliseum.
"We just want to show the love of Jesus. That's the whole reason we do it," explained Pastor Brian Sharp.
The event started more than 15 years ago, through the efforts of church member Cassie Rideout. It has grown to include the entire church, and expanded to the Coliseum about three years ago, he said.
Residents typically start lining up well before 5 p.m., Sharp said. Anyone wishing to receive a coat must be present for the event. Youth through adult sizes are available on a first-come basis. A church member will escort families through to pick out the items, Sharp said.
Some other winter clothing will also be available, such as scarves and gloves.
Free hot drinks and hot dogs will be served.
Coats are collected year-round for this, Sharp said.
It started as a single neighborhood event, he said, and now serves several hundred families.
Grace Christian Fellowship is located at 3200 Warrior Lane. It was founded in 1993 by Sharp and his wife, Pam.