ROCHESTER, Minn. - To help kids and families who can't afford winter coats The Rochester Salvation Army is hosting their coat drive. They're looking for small to adult coats. But it's not just coats they're also accepting hats and mittens.

Salvation Army Program Manager Steve Friedrich says they usually start collecting in the fall but they decided to start early in the summer to make sure more kids and families have warm clothing.

"When our kids are out playing out in the playgrounds or they're waiting for the bus we don't want them to feel like they're going to face a frost bite or that they're going to be freezing before they get on the bus," said Friedrich. "We want to start them off right when they get to school."

Last year they collected around a combined 600 adult and children coats. They hope to surpass that this year. Whenever families have gotten coats Friedrich says it's helped them immensely.

"Maybe that allows them to provide a meal for their families or get some gas in the car," said Friedrich. "Even though we're asking for coats today and not just coats but winter wear we know that can be big relief and how am I going to come up for the money for that?"

Friedrich says if anyone wants to donate they can stop by The Salvation Army Social Services and Corps building. They're open Monday-Friday from 8AM-4PM.