Hundred Nights warming shelter opens in Keene to provide services during frigid weather

A new warming shelter has opened in Keene, New Hampshire, offering respite during the frigid winter weather. Located at the United Church of Christ, the facility provides a safe haven for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering coffee, hot chocolate, soup, and granola bars alongside prepared beds.
Volunteer Will Hunter emphasized the community effort behind the initiative, stating, “It’s always neat to see how folks can come together to meet the needs of the community.” The shelter, operated by the Hundred Nights Ministry, aims to provide immediate comfort and a chance to rest for those without shelter.
Allen Crigger, a 45-year-old who sleeps in tents or abandoned buildings, expressed gratitude for the service. He noted this is his 12th winter without a home, highlighting the vulnerability many face. Volunteer Kayleigh Solomon stressed the indiscriminate nature of homelessness, observing, “Anybody could become homeless… And a lot of the people who are homeless, they’re not homeless because they chose to.”
Richard MacKay, another guest, shared his personal struggle, stating he has been unhoused for about two weeks and is actively seeking affordable housing. He mentioned preferring to wait until spring to live outdoors rather than face the high cost of indoor shelter. Russell Clough, who has been without a home for nearly two years, described his primary goal as simply “trying to survive.”
Hundred Nights Executive Director Becky Beaton manages the operation, preparing beds and ensuring guests have a place to stay overnight. The ministry provides not just physical warmth but also a moment of dignity and peace for those enduring harsh conditions.

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