As the weather becomes cooler, The United Way of Mower County is seeking new or gently used children’s outerwear.

The Community Outerwear Drive for Kids begins Monday.

Children’s coats and accessories — warm hats, mittens, snowpants, boots and the like — will be collected through Oct. 16.

The organization distributes fliers to every child in the county this time of year to ask what they need for winter, executive director Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

“I expect the need will be up considerably,” she said.

That is because requests for outerwear have gone up each of the three years the United Way has done a drive in Mower County. The exact need for this year has not yet been calculated since applications are still being accepted.

Those in need of warm outerwear for children can call the United Way office at 437-2313 before Oct. 16. Outerwear will be distributed Oct. 26 and 27.

“If we do not get enough used donations to help everyone that needs help, we will buy new stuff with the cash donations or with the funds leftover from last year,” Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

Items can be dropped off at the United Way, 301 N. Main St.; Hy-Vee, 1001 18th Ave. N.W.; US Bank, 301 N. Main St.; or the YMCA, 704 First Dr. N.W. Money donations can be mailed or dropped off at the local United Way office. Checks should be made out to the United Way of Mower County, with “Coat drive” written on the memo line.