About 600 coats have been given away at Suffolk Christian Church this month.

The church’s 26th annual coat giveaway was held Jan. 9, but there were so many coats left over the church decided to give them away during its food pantry times on the next two Tuesdays.

“You never know when you’re going to get your blessings,” said Maxine Evans, who picked up coats at the church on a bitterly cold day this Tuesday.

Beverly McGahee, the coordinator of the effort, said this was the 26th year of the giveaway.

The coats, both new and used, are donated by school groups, church members, friends and others. Church members also purchase new coats with monetary donations, McGahee said. They purchase especially those in larger sizes, as well as scarves, hats and mittens. Donated sweaters and sweatshirts are also given away during the event.

Lilli Carpenter spent a while Tuesday selecting coats from the collection for her seven grandchildren.

“The mom and dad just need it for the kids,” she said.

McGahee said it always seems like more children’s coats are left over than adult coats. She encouraged any schoolteacher who knows of a child in need to call the church office at 539-9182 to set up a time to come and look for a coat.

“We want the schoolteachers of the area to come to us if they have a student in their class in need of a coat,” she said.

The church also appreciates the services of Quality Cleaners, which cleans donated coats when needed, McGahee said.