Raleigh Rescue Mission pleads for winter clothes

An unusual cold spell has driven up requests for winter clothes, and the mission's supply of items has run out, Executive Director Lynn Daniell said.

"We have distributed over 650 winter items already and could have distributed at least twice that many if we would have had the items to give," Daniell said in statement Wednesday.

The mission hands out blankets, coats, gloves, hats and scarves to homeless and low-income men, women and children throughout the winter.

"It's very hard to turn these folks down. They come in coughing and shivering, and we have nothing warm to relieve their discomfort," Daniell said.

The greatest need is for adult winter coats in large sizes and adult gloves, but the mission will take donations of any winter clothes, in any quantity, Daniell said. He urged concerned people to hold collection drives.

"If someone has one extra pair of gloves, we need them," Daniell said. "In fact, we'll take any donation of these items day or night.

"Our goal is to get as many items to distribute as quickly as we can," he added.

Donations are being accepted at the Raleigh Rescue Mission at 314 E. Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh.