The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse and the Moscow Public Library are taking donations to provide warm gloves, scarves, hats and other winter clothing as part of the Chase the Chill Initiative this winter.

Ginger Allen, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse director of family ministries, said people wanting to donate items can drop off gently used or new winter clothes at the Moscow Public Library foyer, at 110 South Jefferson St. in Moscow.

Items can also be donated to the Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located on 420 East 2nd St. in Moscow.

“People don’t realize we do have people who are financially on the edge,” Allen said.

She said she collects donated items once a week, then kids in the children and youth program go through the items, put them in gallon-size bags, and label them with tags marking what is inside. The bags are hung up outside the library on the fence so anyone walking by can take any items they need.

Michelle Hugo, Moscow Public Library assistant, said the clothing drive will continue as long as the cold weather lasts. The church began to hang items up at the library a few weeks ago.

“We have needs in this community and the library does get a lot of people who have needs,” she said.

This is the fourth year the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse has held a clothing drive. Allen said last year, about 300 items were donated and given away, which is about 25 items every week.

Allen said the goal is to expand the clothing drive to other communities, such as Pullman, Potlatch, Deary and Troy. Right now, Allen is at her limit for resources but if anyone wanted to join the effort she said she would help coordinate a drive for other community members.

“We’re meeting people’s needs without them having to come ask for help,” Allen said.