Inflation, rising prices and lingering effects of the pandemic all are making it harder for some families to afford necessities such as warm clothing for their children.
So the nonprofit Cradles to Crayons is partnering with Chicagoland communities, including those in the south suburbs, to collect coats for youth as winter approaches.
The nonprofit conducts the coat drive every year, but this year organizers say the need is more dire and they’ve upped their target number to 50,000 from 20,000 last year.
Communities collect coat donations for children up to age 12, which are taken to the nonprofit’s Giving Factory on the North Side of Chicago, where volunteers sort and package them for Cradles’ service partners.
In addition to clothes, Cradles collects school supplies, diapers and other items, giving away 70,000 backpacks to Chicago Public Schools students last year and 2 million diapers to families in need.
“There’s definitely a growing need we’ve seen over the past year,” said Dawn Melchiorre, executive director. “Coming out of the pandemic and with inflation, we’re seeing more and more families turning to the services we provide.”
Cradles works with about 75 different service partners around the Chicago area which are asking for more clothes and diapers.
Melchiorre pointed out diapers can cost between $80 and $100 per month, making them unaffordable for some families.
“What we’re trying to do is end clothing insecurity for kids at risk,” Melchiorre said. “It is something a lot of people don’t think about or talk about. It’s a hidden need that really affects children’s social-emotional development.”
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Among service organizations in the south suburbs reporting an increased need for children’s clothes and supplies is South Suburban PADS in Chicago Heights and Country Club Hills, where staff have seen more homeless people seeking shelter since the pandemic began.
“There is always a need for coats but the need has grown because more people are experiencing homelessness, especially children,” said Doug Kenshol, executive director.
Kenshol said PADS served as many as 160 people per night and 55 children in March 2022. The number decreased to 133 people with 36 children since July but that is expected to surge again.
“With temperatures dropping, numbers are climbing and we will soon hit our peak capacity again,” he said, adding a winter coat for a teen can cost $75 or more.
At the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, more people have been donating coats than in the past.
“I think what that means to us is that people are really more cognizant of need,” said Lorri Nagle, director of development. “I think those people who are in a position to share and give are doing that, not only because they feel the struggle, the challenges of inflation, but then I think they recognize those people who might not be as fortunate as they are struggling even more.”
South suburban drop boxes for the coat drive include Quilters Trunk, 10352 S. Western Ave., in Beverly, Morgan Park Sports Center, 11505 S. Western Ave., and Acorn Public Library, 15524 Central Ave. in Oak Forest. A full list of donation sites is at https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/chicago/take-action/donate-goods/items-we-accept/.
“We’re happy to be supporting the efforts that Cradles to Crayons are making,” said Scott Brost, facilities manager for Morgan Park Sports Center, a Chicago Park District facility. “There is a need within our community and we are a community first organization and want to help and assist in multiple ways.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.