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As cold as it might seem when temperatures drop and sunny days become few and far between, nothing is more chilling than seeing the reality of people unable to pay for heat or purchase enough warm clothing. Kathy Begler, president of the Rogue Valley Council of St. Vincent de Paul, said seeing residents struggle to stay warm is heart-wrenching. Too often, people wander inside the store seeking warmth as much as a few extra layers. This year, Begler and a slew of local organizations are putting the call out for winter necessities at a time when colder nights can be life-threatening. Offering a specific list of items, organizers hope, might best direct community donations where they’re most needed. “It goes without saying that a lot of people don’t even think in terms of it being an option to not be able to get warm, but now that the nights have turned so awfully cold, there’s more of an awareness that someone could actually freeze to death outdoors,” Begler said. At the top of St. Vincent’s list, Begler said, are blankets, jeans, shoes and warm clothing for men. Begler said many people are likely to have extras of winter items “just sitting around” and simply not know where they’d be most needed. “We get a lot of women’s clothing, but not as much for men. On average, the store receives eight times the number of women’s pieces to men’s. And we get fewer pairs of jeans than anything.” Melissa Mayne, director of Compassion Highway Project, said her homeless outreach organization’s biggest needs, second to a permanent headquarters, are shoes, coats and camping supplies. Compassion Highway Project is hosting a donation drive in addition to an annual shoe donation event for students of Jackson Elementary and McLoughlin Middle schools. “Even if it seems like things get donated all the time, things get wet and can’t be used or they get taken or lost,” Mayne said. “It’s really sad, there are so many people in their cars or their RVs and they can’t afford to leave their engines running to have the heat on, but they don’t always have good coats or enough blankets.” Are your closets overflowing? Check out the list below to direct donations to where they’re needed most. St. Vincent de Paul 2424 N. Pacific Highway, Medford St. Vincent provides low-cost and free items to people in need. St. Vincent’s wish list includes clean, heavy blankets, jeans (men’s and women’s), water-resistant or waterproof winter shoes and boots, hats and gloves. Compassion Highway Project CHP is partnering with Completely Floored, 1125 Holly St., John L. Scott, in the Medford Center, and Timber Kids Dentistry, 1291 E. McAndrews Drive. Items needed this year include blankets, sleeping bags, tarps and hand warmers for campers and shoes for children and homeless people. Donations of new shoes are also being accepted at Sweetwater Collective Tattoo, 314 S. Holly St., in Medford, in exchange for a $25 certificate toward a tattoo. Shoes will be collected and donated to students of Jackson Elementary and McLoughlin Middle schools. Rogue Valley Clothing Exchange A new effort launched this year, a regional clothing exchange and distribution effort, Rogue Valley Clothing Exchange expressed a need for men’s winter clothing and warm jackets (for all ages). This month’s exchange event will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford. Donation drop-offs will be accepted Friday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 6 p.m., or items can be taken to the exchange. Large coat donations can be made via exchange founder Maggie Carrillo, 541-821-2432. See www.facebook.com/roguevalleyclothingexchange/.