“Our ‘Cookies, Coats and Cocoa’ event is a great opportunity for our community to access some delicious treats while receiving free coats for their families to help relieve the burden of purchasing these costly winter items,” UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor said in a news release.

The event is being held in the West Ward, which, along with the city’s South Ward and East Ward, was deemed by the state Economic Development Authority in 2022 to be a “food desert” — a location where people face significant challenges finding food because of poverty and other conditions.

Cookies and hot cocoa for the event were donated by Entenmann’s and West Ward Councilman Dupré Kelly; blankets and socks were donated by Peoples Investment Foundation, organizers said.

Pet food will also be available for attendees’ dogs and cats, according to the organizers, who said flu and coronavirus vaccinations will be available on site, administered by Saint James Health.