ALICE households—working but poor—are rising, prompting coat drives from Florida to Alabama to help.

A growing number of Americans, including many working full-time, are struggling to afford basic needs, with poverty rates rising since 2022 and nearly 30% of the population classified as ALICE—employed but unable to cover essential expenses. As winter approaches, coat drives across Florida, Texas, and Alabama are collecting donations to help those in need, supported by the nonprofit One Warm Coat, which has provided over 7.85 million coats since 1992. These efforts, organized through local churches, community centers, and businesses like MOD Pizza, aim to deliver warmth and dignity to individuals facing economic hardship.