Dozens of donations come in for local homeless students - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Eau Claire (WQOW)- The community rallies in a big way to help homeless students within the Eau Claire school district.

Over 50 new and used winter jackets, dozens of pairs of boots and shoes, along with hats, mittens and gloves have been donated. And these items are badly needed. Already this year over 150 kids have been referred to the district's homeless program. That's a huge jump from last month, when the shoe and clothing drive began. At that time, there were only around 50 kids in the program.

"We take what we can get and sometimes it's not a lot, so the fact that so many people came together in our community and filled these needs that these students really had says so much about Eau Claire," says Dani Claesges, coordinator of the Eau Claire school district's homeless program.

There is still a need for girls shoes, along with gloves and hats for older students. If you'd like to help out contact the school district's homeless program at 715-797-6751.