As it has done every year for more than 10 years, the District of Columbia State Council of the Knights of Columbus will spend “Black Friday” – this year, Friday, Nov. 25 – distributing warm winter coats to children in need.

The new coats will be provided free of charge and come in sizes to fit children, teenagers and some young adults. They will be distributed Friday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1600 Morris Road in Southeast Washington, D.C.

The Coats for Kids distribution program was started in 2009 by the District of Columbia Knights. The program has since spread across the United States and Canada, and now 1,780 local Knights councils participate.

Since the program started, councils have purchased and distributed more than 500,000 new winter coats to children throughout North America.

“Approximately 18 percent of American children and 14 percent of Canadian children live in poverty… (and) many low-income families have scarce resources to cover even the most basic essentials,” said a statement from the Knights of Columbus, adding that it seeks to “ensure that every child in North America would have access to a warm winter coat.”

According to the District of Columbia Knights of Columbus website, kids will be able to try on coats for size. Volunteers will try to match that size with a preferred color, and then give the coat to the child or parent. Sizing and colors are limited, and volunteers may not be able to accommodate a color preference and cannot guarantee a specific size or color will be available when a person arrives.

Children do not need to be present to receive a free coat. Families may only come through the line once to receive coats. The Knights said that the coats will be available while supplies last.