HUBBARD Donations for the Youngstown Blue Coats are up for the year, although the number of people assisted so far is down.
Patty Summers, president and chief executive officer of the Hubbard-based organization, said she attributes both trends to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of the beginning of March, 1,300 people were helped this year, as opposed to 1,600 at the same point last year.
“Our numbers are down but our donations are not. They’ve actually increased,” Summers said.
Over the last year as people were mandated to stay home to combat the coronavirus, many cleaned their houses, Summers said, resulting in more donations.