BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — Amy Bacon of Bloomsburg is carrying on a tradition started by her late mother. Outside the family's home on West Fifth Street is what she calls "The Giving Fence."
"Mom started this about ten years ago. She saw the kids walking home from school, and they didn't have hats, gloves, and scarves, and she decided to help make the kids warm," Bacon said.
The fence is lined with plastic bags full of things to help keep you warm. People can take whatever they need for free.
"We tie them up in bags, mark them, hang them on the fence. You can take whatever fits you, see what doesn't fit you. You can see colors through the bag—blankets, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, you name it."
The fence is filled with items for both kids and adults. The family decided to hang up items a bit earlier this year.
"Usually, we try to wait a little closer to Christmas so they have things for winter or Christmas vacation, so they are warm. But my daughter decided to go ahead and start it a little early this year."
Amy's mother, Evelyn Rankin, died of cancer in November of 2020. The family has taken on the responsibility of the Giving Fence to help carry on her legacy.
"She was amazing. She was the most giving person I knew. She cared, she cared about everybody. She wanted to help people."
You can also donate items.
"They can leave it on the porch, or you can put things in the bag and mark them yourself and just come find a hook to hang it on."
Bacon says items will remain on the Giving Fence through the end of December.