Veterans Across 11 States to Receive 90,000 Donated Winter Coats from Discount Retailer

Veterans throughout the Northeast, New England and the Mid-Atlantic are beginning to benefit from an annual multi-state coat drive ahead of the winter chill.

Discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is holding its “11th Annual Buy-Give-Get Coats” program, allowing customers in 11 states to buy a coat and then donate it to a veteran or someone else in need. The program began last week and runs through the end of December.

David Sarlitto, vice president of corporate giving for Ocean State Job Lot, told Military.com the program has grown exponentially over the years.

“We started 12 years ago in New Hampshire, I think with maybe 1,000 coats. Now, it’s 90,000,” Sarlitto said. “The number of coats seems to keep going up, which I think is not necessarily a good sign.

“It’s good we’re doing it. But the fact that there are so many in such great need is always a little bothersome.”

How The Program Works

The program gives customers across OSJL’s 177-store footprint, from Maine to Maryland, the opportunity to buy a warm winter coat at any of their discount stores for $45.

Then, they give the coat back to the store to be donated to veterans and others in need. In turn, the customer gets a $45 gift card as a ‘thank you.’

“We bring in the coats, and we give our customers the chance to buy one,” Sarlitto said. “They give them back to us to donate to a military family or a veteran in need who might not have a winter coat. Then, we give the customer a gift card for their donation. It’s a win-win.”

Since the program began in 2016, Sarlitto said OSJL has donated more than 450,000 winter coats.

This year’s initiative involves a network of more than 50 veteran and community support organizations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to help distribute the coats ahead of the winter months.

“We buy them right out of the factory, wrapped in plastic, ranging in size from medium all the way up through double XLs,” Sarlitto said. “These aren’t lightweight coats. These are coats that people under a bridge or wherever, in the worst of Northeast weather, will do OK.”

Mixed Numbers on Veteran Homelessness

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 32,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given night in the United States, though recent data shows veteran homelessness is on track to drop to historic lows.

The VA reports that veteran homelessness fell 8.2% in 2026—the biggest drop in 10 years—with federal projections indicating a further drop below 30,000, marking a big decrease compared to over a decade ago.

The VA also keeps track of the demographics for homeless veterans, with about 50% listed as age 51 or older; 51% have a disability; 50% face mental illness; and 70% have substance issues.

Sarlitto said he’s seen the need firsthand.

“I’ve been to the northern reaches of Maine with pallets of coats, handing them out with the wind blowing so cold,” he said. “It’s experiences like that, when you get out of a truck and you’re meeting the people who are actually on the ground—they’re meeting the person who makes the calls. I wouldn’t give up that experience for the world.”

‘Anything We Can Do to Help’

The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership and support of numerous causes.

The foundation’s operational, administrative and overhead expenses are covered by the company rather than the foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to helping those in need.

The company’s outreach to veterans’ groups adds a special purpose for Sarlitto, who said many veterans struggle with basic necessities long after they’ve left the service.

“I get a little angry with some folks who think veterans sign up for hardship while getting benefits for life,” Sarlitto said. “I would say they did not sign up to have an arm and shoulder shot off. I can guarantee that.

“So, anything we can do to help these folks and the military families that support them, then we’re going to do it.”

Ocean State Job Lot is one of the leading discount retail chains in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Founded in 1977, OSJL has 177 stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

With nearly 7,000 employees, the company is headquartered in North Kingstown, R.I., and reports annual sales over $900 million.

OSJL was named a five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes, a six-time U.S. “Best Managed Company” by Deloitte, and one of America’s greatest workplaces for parents and families by Newsweek.