While Grace City Church provides the spiritual nourishment needed, the House of Grace and Youngstown Blue Coats keep their physical bodies strong through not only food but clothing to keep them warm during the winter months.

During the House of Grace’s weekly luncheon Friday, the Youngstown Blue Coats were on hand, distributing winter wear to those less fortunate.

It is the fourth time the Blue Coats have been out here, explained Lisa Smith, who is one of the pastors of Grace City Church along with husband Jeff. “We typically do serve between 250 and 300; however, we ran out of coats and boots (about three hours in), so we had to wrap up early. We served 300ish people.”

While Lisa Smith monitored the outside activity along with the Blue Coats, who are veterans dedicated to assisting the unsheltered with their mobile unit (the Alexander Luke), co-pastor Jeff Smith oversaw activity in the church’s interior, which acted as a warm waiting room for those looking to obtain winter wear from the Blue Coats.

Volunteers pose with Lisa Smith from the House Of Grace Resource Center and Patty Summers of the Youngstown Blue Coats in front of the Blue Coats’ events during a distribution event outside the Grace City Church on Fifth Street Friday. From left are Blue Coats volunteers Dennis and Carl with Lisa Smith, volunteer Roseann Panning, Ms. Amerifest Ohio Rachael Kleimeier, Patty Summers, area resident Michael Swinehart as well as Blue Coats’ volunteers Colton and Brian. (Submitted photo)

As the non-profit’s website details, “We load our bus with warming items and team members, pick up our guides and go to either specific locations (like Grace City Church) or out in the woods and search for those who are without shelter. We go day or night, rain, snow or sunshine.”

Patty Summers, Blue Coats founder and CEO, explained that ultimately they would distribute 197 coats and boots Friday, which is their biggest effort in East Liverpool. Just like in the other areas they serve across northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania, Summers said the job loss and increasing number of older people losing their homes have resulted in an increased need across the board.

While in East Liverpool on Friday, she said that they did distribute the coats and boots, but an increased number of blankets as well as tents and tarps for homeless community members. Those numbers were down to three from last year’s 12 recipients.

Recipients also took the opportunity to get out of Friday’s cold and grab a warm coat and get a lunch of barbecued beef and baked beans with applesauce and cupcake in their belly from the church’s House Of Grace Resource Center before making their way to the center’s food pantry.

The Blue Coats have a special compassion for the homeless as they found that one of every five homeless people is a veteran, so they work with veteran organizations to get them off the streets and into a safe environment where they can thrive again.

For information about the Youngstown Blue Coats and their efforts, call 330-531-1762.

The House of Grace, which is a ministry of Grace City Church that provides food, clothing and other basic necessities for those in need without judgment, holds its weekly luncheons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays while supplies last at their 225 W. Fifth St. location. For information about assisting with their effort or possible assistance, call 330-385-2122 or email gccpastorlisa@gmail.com.