For the 19th year, an area dry-cleaning business is collecting winter coats to be turned over to the less fortunate.

Scotch Fabric Care, with locations in Lawrence and Topeka, is accepting coats through Nov. 24 for the Scotch Share the Warmth project.

Scotch works with the Salvation Army to distribute the coats to the needy in early December. Since 1986, more than 143,000 coats have been collected and cleaned for the program.

Organizers ask that the coats be in good condition. As in past years, organizers anticipate an additional need for coats for children as well as larger men and women.