Local thrift shop in Lompoc offering free Jackets and sweaters to those in need

Approximately 67 percent of students in the Lompoc Unified School District are on free and reduced meal plans and it’s likely that these families also struggle when it comes to buying winter clothes.

If you look outside Hapgood Elementary School during dismissal time, you’ll see dozens of kids layered up on their way home. But some moms say not all of their children’s classmates are as lucky.

“I feel cold when I see them because they don’t have a jacket or they’re just, I don’t know, not cold,” said Carmen Nunez as she picked up her granddaughter from school.

“My son likes to stay cozy cause he is a little chubby kid but he likes to stay warm and so do all the other kids I know at the school. It’s cold in Lompoc, it’s cold in the Valley, it’s cold in Santa Maria and in Santa Barbara so I would hope that they would help these kids,” said mom Crystal Palato.

There is one place in Lompoc offering a warm and cozy hand to these kids and their families.

“We know that it’s a humbling experience to be in that position for somebody, so we don’t want to make it any more difficult for somebody to come and get the resources that they need,” said Chuck Madson, Director of Programming for Pay it Forward Thrift & Gifts.

‘Pay It Forward Thrift & Gifts’ at 205 W Ocean Avenue in Lompoc has what they call their blessing box located outside their store with warm clothing options for children and adults — all for free.

Those in need can come inside asking for more clothes, free of charge as well.

“The wonderful thing about Lompoc is there are a lot of people with a lot of big hearts that really care about those in need. You’re more than welcome to come in here at at any time and get information from any of our staff about what’s going on here in Lompoc; there’s a lot of resources for those in need,” Madson said.

For those looking to donate their extra jackets and winter clothes, Pay It Forward can pick them up from your house, all you have to do is give them a call.

Hapgood Elementary also collects all of the jackets from the lost and found at the end of the school year and donates the unclaimed ones to local shelters.

Lompoc High School says it has an outreach coordinator who gets coats for students in need.

We will update this story as we find more outreach programs in the area.