WARREN, Ohio — St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District started a program to help people stay warm this winter. Darlene Jones, the CEO of Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Northeast Ohio, explained.

What You Need To Know

  • St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District began handing out dual purpose sleeping bags to those in need this winter

  • The sleeping bags can be a warm place for someone to sleep as well as a jacket for them to wear during the day

  • The coats are for those who are currently without a home and the hope is to keep them warm

“Initially, our concept was why don’t we provide sleeping bags, but that only really took care of one of the issues. If you’re out sleeping outside, you’re living outside. You still need warmth during the day,” Jones said.

The group turned to dual purpose sleeping bags, which are a warm place to sleep and a coat to wear during the day. Jones said they work with a program out of Detroit called “Empowerment Plan” to get the coats.

“These coats at made by individuals who are formerly homeless, now going through a workforce development program and so they get to pay it forward a little bit,” Jones said.

The teams started passing out the dual sleeping bags for two weeks and have already given them to 16 Northeast Ohioans in need.

“The feedback that we’ve had from the individuals who have these coats is just, its heartwarming,” Jones said.

Sean Keating, the community outreach coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District, explained how these coats work and how they couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Big, full purpose, one size fits most coats that unfold into a sleeping bag for people that warm up to negative 20 degrees,” Keating said.

Jones and Keating said they can’t get every person into a home, but they can help people stay warm this winter.

“If we can’t help all the way and put you in a house, the best we can do, we will do, and we want to make sure we can keep people as comfortable, safe and prepared for their daily lives,” Keating said.