NATCHEZ — Two local community groups are hoping to help keep Natchez children warm this winter.

The Natchez High School Alumni Association and Brothers And Sisters In Community Service is sponsoring a Coats For Kids drive Saturday at the Steckler Building at NHS.

Organizer Brandy Washington, who is a special education teacher at Frazier Elementary, said a child’s need for a warm winter coat is a basic necessity the community can help provide.

“We’ve noticed that every year more and more students need coats, and we know people on the other end who hoard coats because they don’t have anyone to give them to,” Washington said.

The coat drive is also a way for people to donate something they already have back to the community, Washington said.

“Times are tight for people, and we’re trying to recycle the resources in our community,” she said. “We hope people will start digging through their closets and getting those old coats out to donate.”

The coat drive is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Organizers are also accepting shoes and school supplies and ask that all donations are bagged.

Anyone wishing to drop off a coat today can do so at Frazier Elementary.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to collect coats at the coat drive should e-mail Washington at jerricakes@yahoo.com or Corey Isaac at coreyi32@yahoo.com.

Washington said the groups did a school uniform drive in August, and leftover uniforms will also be given out to local children who need long pants for winter.