PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Hundreds of people in need have picked up winter coats on the Statehouse lawn during the state’s annual “Buy Nothing Day” on Black Friday.

Event spokesperson Greg Gerritt says the goal of the 18th annual winter coat exchange is to provide warm coats to those who need them and highlight the negative effects of consumerism.

Donna Walker, of Providence, says she went to the exchange to find a winter coat for herself and her 16-year-old daughter. She says coats in the mall are too expensive.

David and Jo-Ann Steinbrick donated a dozen coats that they collected from their relatives at Thanksgiving. The Cranston couple says the exchange is in keeping with the holiday spirit.

Coats were given away at 11 sites throughout the state.


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