Robert Tillery, associate minister at Apostolic Faith Church, said Thursday’s event was primarily for adults in need. They then put their chosen coat into an oversized, Christmas-themed bag - along with a pair of gloves and a winter hat, too. Once inside, recipients could shop among racks of coats, looking for something that was right for them. The giveaway on Thursday morning saw the distribution of more than 1,100 new coats, mostly donated by the church’s congregation. It’s the 30th year of the giveaway the coats - along with winter hats and gloves - are paid for by church members. “We recognize people are really going through it right now with COVID and having hard times economically, so what’s more of a way to demonstrate the ministry of Jesus than to help provide the material things that is need to survive.” The line to get a new winter coat stretched along Pershing Road outside Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville on Thursday. “We noticed that during Chicago’s cold season that people are going without warm hats and coats, so our ministry at this time is not only going to provide food but to also provide these necessary items that people need to survive,” Baldwin said. But this year, he said, the work has been even more important. Indiana Ave., which has held a coat drive for 30 years. Steven Baldwin is director of ministry for the church, 3823 S. The line started inside Bronzeville’s Apostolic Faith Church and stretched around the corner onto East Pershing Road, where people waited patiently for a free, new winter coat.