Long lines at pantries as people seek winter gear - Traverse City Record Eagle

Long lines at pantries as people seek winter gear - Traverse City Record Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY — A chill in the air means long lines at area pantries this fall.

Parents began queuing up at 8 a.m. — nearly three hours before the Antrim County Baby Pantry's winterwear day began, said board member Cathy Kestner. The baby pantry serves children from birth to 6 years old.

"(Thursday) our parents were so vocally gracious," she said. "One mom said, 'Someday I hope to pay back by being a volunteer,' and that's just so good to hear."

The pantry gave away 255 jackets, 243 pairs of snow pants and 212 pairs of boots, along with lots of gloves, mittens and hats on Thursday, she said.

"It makes my heart happy, it makes me sad because we're needed but it makes me happy that we're there because we're needed," Kestner said. "It's just so good."

But what's left of the winter gear still will be available through the last pantry in December, she said.

Lines also have been long as the Father Fred Foundation opens daily for its pantry, said Donna Broyles, marketing specialist at Father Fred.

"It takes just a little chill in the air and we see the line outside increase," she said. "Majority of people coming here have children growing and suddenly clothes don't fit.

"Or we have people that are living on a thread — paycheck to paycheck — and one life event catapults you into a difficult place. Challenges of daily life for many people doesn't discriminate."

Father Fred is turning to Team Bob's Heating Cooling and Plumbing in its seventh annual drive for winter gear to pull more winter clothes for families in need, she said.

"Their drive is really powerful and we look forward to that every year," Broyles said.

Team Bob's is hoping to fill a 28-foot trailer with gently used winter apparel of all sizes, said Chris Wood, operations manager at Team Bob's.

"We like to give back to the community, which we work and live in," Wood said. "It's a great team-building event — we have a little internal competition of who can bring in the most winterwear. We make it fun and at the same time help out a great organization that does so much."

The coat drive began Oct. 17 and the team will continue to collect coats until Nov. 18. The trailer is located at Team Bob's future location at the corner of South Airport Road and Park Drive. Donations can be dropped off at the current office at 2282 Cass Road from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Team Bob's is offering $5 off a furnace tuneup or $10 off a service repair for donations.

The Antrim County Baby Pantry will be open the first and third Thursday of November and December at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mancelona. To donate clothes, contact Kestner at 231-377-7885, or to donate funds send them to treasurer JoAnn Kotwick at 2025 N. Intermediate Lake Road, Central Lake, 49622.