It’s a lifeline for people who call the streets home. The 15 Below Jacket is designed to withstand temperatures of up to -15 C. Biting snow, wind and temperatures below freezing are hard on the homeless. In Canada more than 80 people die each year from over-exposure to cold. In November 2008 The Salvation Army and the Toronto-based advertising company TAXI partnered together to respond to the needs of Canada’s homeless population.

In Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver, 3,000 15 Below Jackets were delivered to the homeless to protect them from frostbite and hypothermia this winter. The jacket was designed by TAXI and distributed by The Salvation Army.

The outerwear for all seasons contains internal pockets where old newspapers can be stuffed in order to provide extra insulation and act as the jacket’s lining. When the stuffing is removed it becomes a rain jacket and when it is folded up it becomes a pillow.

Says Dion Oxford, Director of The Salvation Army Gateway shelter in downtown Toronto: “We received 300 jackets and the response has been good. Most have been distributed. They are fashionable and functional, keeping people warm. During cold snaps, staff is promoting the jacket to anyone who comes through our doors.”

With more than 300,000 Canadians homeless, it’s not a permanent solution to the problem of homelessness, but it will prevent some from freezing to death or suffering frostbite while winter weather is here.