NORWICH – Even with December’s warmer than usual temperatures, the Norwich City School District is again teaming up with the Morrisville State College Liberty Partnership Program to make sure all students are warm when Old Man Winter comes around.

NCSD and Liberty Partnership, with the support of several community partners, have joined forces in a holiday clothing drive to provide much needed support to disadvantaged families throughout the Norwich area. For the third year, the two are working collaboratively to collect new clothing as well as monetary donations from anyone willing to lend a helping hand.

“There’s clearly a large need in our community based on the referrals we get and the interaction students have with our Liberty Partnership Program,” said Shelly Bartow, Liberty Partnership Director. “Being able to provide clothing, even though it’s only once a year, is a huge help for families.”

Although the clothing drive is a 20-plus-year-old tradition at the Norwich City School District, the help received from Liberty Partnership in recent years has provided the extra boost needed to reach more families. Last year, the two organizations provided outfits to 568 students in 214 families.

Given the increasing need from year to year, it’s become a challenge to keep up, according to co-coordinator and NCSD social worker Kelly Collins-Colosi. Monetary donations are down nearly $800 from this time last year. Hopes are to turn that around soon.