ST. LOUIS – Most schools have closets for students to hang coats. But a closet to give away coats? That’s another story, one that plays itself out at nearly three dozen schools in seven different districts in the St. Louis area.

“When kids are walking to school, they need coats,” Reniya Banks-Franklin, social worker for Hickey Elementary in the St. Louis Public Schools District, said. “And if you don’t have a coat on, you’re not really enthusiastic about walking to school.”

Banks-Franklin is talking about the students who come from underserved families who cannot afford warm winter coats for their children. It is especially challenging for students at Hickey, which primarily serves students who walk or take the bus.

Thankfully, Hickey has a Kids Community Closet—a room that is stocked with new winter coats, hats, gloves, and other items for students in need of the essentials.

“I’m very grateful, very grateful,” parent Niesha Franklin said. Franklin’s daughters both received free, brand-new coats from the Kids Community Closet.

The brand new, donated coats come from the National Council for Jewish Women St. Louis, which started up the program in 2008. It is an extension of the organization’s Back to School Store, a one-stop shop summer event that provides school supplies, clothing and other essentials for students in need.

Kids Community Closet operates during the school year. NCJW St. Louis works with social workers and other key staff at school to determine the needs of students.

Julie Hundman serves as the NCJW liaison for Hickey Elementary. She said a coat provides more than warmth for students. It helps drive attendance, motivation, and overall success.

“The attendance numbers have gone up because kids can wait for a bus outside. And they’re not worried about the cold,” Hundman said. “It’s just like giving a child breakfast. Their performance improves and you can see the difference.”

Banks-Franklin, the school’s social worker, said the coats bring joy to students—as well as staff.

“It’s so heartwarming just to see that they get to take the plastic off, rip these tags off, knowing that it’s a brand-new coat. And it’s theirs,” Banks-Franklin said.

The NCJW Kids Community Closet also features brand new hats, gloves, toothbrushes, and other items for students.