Coats given away at Rhode Island Statehouse on Black Friday

While shoppers are spending Black Friday at the mall, hundreds of people in need are picking winter coats off racks on the Rhode Island Statehouse lawn for Buy Nothing Day.

The goal of Friday's 20th annual coat exchange is to provide warm coats to those who need them and highlight the negative effects of consumerism.

It's held at sites around the state on Black Friday, traditionally the year's busiest shopping day.

Event spokesman Greg Gerritt says plenty of coats were donated and plenty of people in need are stopping by.

He says volunteers are keeping the racks full, but there won't be many coats left by the end.

Providence resident Awilda Marquez looked for coats for her children. She says she's grateful for the event because coats are expensive.