NY Cares: Demand For Coats At All-Time High This Holiday Season

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As colder weather begins to creep up on the metro area, one local organization is stepping up its call for warm winter coats.

More: NYC Charities, Drives Accepting Holiday Donations

According to New York Cares, the need for coats has reached an all-time high -- with 125,000 requests from social services, schools and other area charities.

So far, the coat collections through the New York Cares drive are around 30,000, 1010 WINS reported.

"We have a long, long way to go," Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, said. "We want to make sure to really call out to New Yorkers to say, on a cold morning like today, we wish we already had those coats in place."

The 28th annual New York Cares coat drive runs through Dec. 31 2017. Those looking to donate in person can drop off their gently-used coats at their local NYPD precinct, Penn Station or Grand Central Station. Check the New York Cares website for a full list of locations. 

If you don't have a coat to donate, you can still help out by making a monetary donation. Just text "COAT" to 41444 -- donations in increments of $20 will be accepted.

For more information on New York Cares, click here.