Newark Archdiocese Distributes 300 Coats To People In Need

NEWARK, NJ — An annual “Coats and Candy Giveaway” in Newark recently gave away more than 300 free coats and other winterwear to children and adults in need.

The event on Oct. 25 was organized by the Mercy House, a resource and referral center operated by the Archdiocese of Newark’s Respect Life Office. According to a news release from the archdiocese:

"Though the event did not officially begin until 11 a.m., a large group of people gathered outside The Mercy House’s Newark location at 620 Clinton Avenue four hours early just to reserve a place in line. Once inside the building, they picked out a new or gently used coat for each of their family members who required one. They also received hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, and other winter apparel. And because Halloween is right around the corner, everyone left with a small bag filled with sweet treats."

Organizers said that the clothing was donated by archdiocesan employees, parishes and individual donors. This included more than 150 coats contributed by the parishioners of St. Stephen Church in Kearny as well as roughly 50 coats collected through a charity drive at the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Center in Newark. Additionally, Accem Warehouse in Bayonne donated 140 boxes of new sweaters.

Opened in 2018 as a center for pregnant and parenting women, The Mercy House has since expanded its mission to support anyone in need. Today it provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to all who visit its Newark location during its operating hours every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It also holds special events throughout the year, with the next one being its annual “Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway” on Nov. 22. Learn more here.

“We do this giveaway every year because there’s always a need for it,” said Cheryl Riley, director of the Respect Life Office and the Mercy House.

“In the weeks leading up to this year’s event, we saw a lot of people coming into The Mercy House who had no coats — including little kids,” Riley said. “And we serve a lot of migrants from hot weather countries who don’t even know how cold New Jersey gets. We make sure everyone has what they need to stay warm in the winter.”

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