Paterson officials on Thursday hosted a breakfast and coat drive for homeless residents.

The city teamed up with the manufacturer Protective Health Gear to provide coats, gloves, hats and other winter essentials.

"This community used to be a thriving community, and it has so much potential,” said Protective Health Gear vice president of operations Evan Schulman. “And we want to give it a boost. We want to make sure that Patersonians come together as a tightknit community and help each other."

Officials added the event was part of an effort to strengthen the network of services offered to the unhoused community.