HOPE is the brainchild of a group of about a dozen individuals wanting to do something to benefit the community. They are gathering new or gently used and clean clothing and nonperishable food items they will give to the Homer Community Food Pantry for distribution to individuals in need Jan. 19.

Specifically, the clothing being asked for is coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, mittens, boots and shoes.

Boxes are at Captain's Coffee Roasting Company, Fritz Creek General Store, Kachemak Gear Shed, Safeway, Spenard Builders Supply and Ulmer's Drug and Hardware. An addidtional box was placed by request at Homer High School Tuesday, and another will be placed at Homer Jeans Jan. 5.

Ty Gates of Captain's Coffee said items left at his business more than filled the donation box. On Monday afternoon, the box had been emptied and was waiting to receive additional donations of clothing and food items.

"They did really well and were in second place until I got the count from Ulmer's," Nester said of some friendly competition between the businesses. "The one that had the most was Safeway. They had 36 items."

In second place, Ulmer's had 23 items; Captain's Coffee, 21; Kachemak Gear Shed, 16; Fritz Creek General Store, 7. Spenard Builders Supply had no donations to report.

Boxes were put in place Dec. 23. As of Monday, the following had been collected:

* 24 hats;

* 24 coats;

* 12 sweatshirts;

* 11 sweaters and fleece tops;

* 8 shirts;

* 7 scarves;

* 6 pairs of shoes;

* 4 pairs of boots;

* 4 pairs of socks;

* 3 pairs of gloves or mittens.

TOTAL: 103 items

No food items were donated during the first week.

"It's mostly adult (sizes)," Nester said of the clothing. "We've got a few children's things, but no children's gloves and mittens."

Members of HOPE make their collections from the boxes either Sunday or Monday. The last day to make donations is Jan. 18.

McKibben Jackinsky can be contacted at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.