A popular clothing pantry will not be held in Rhinelander this winter because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Organizers of the local Warm for Winter clothing giveaway have decided to put the program on hold until further notice. They will not be taking donations and do not plan to schedule distributions this fall or winter.
Spokesperson Jan Leschke says the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation led to the decision...
"It wasn't an easy decision to cancel Warm For Winter for this season because of the risk involved with the coronavirus to both our volunteers and our shoppers but it was just too risky to open. We decided to close down until the 2021 season...."
Jan Leschke says because of space constraints volunteers work in close contact with each other and with donated goods. She says health experts caution the possibility of spreading Covid-19 increases in such conditions..
"Our project has been so successful in the past with our recycling of clothes and helping so many people, we're sorry we won't be able to be open..."
Leschke says a key factor is Friendly Village, where the distribution is held, has been closed to the public.
