Keene, New Hampshire, winter warming shelter set to open Dec. 7 at United Church of Christ

The overnight winter warming shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Keene, New Hampshire, is scheduled to open Dec. 7 and run through April 5, depending on available funding. My Keene Now reported the plan in November, describing the shelter as returning to the city next month. The Keene Sentinel, citing a city news release, also reported the Dec. 7 opening date.

The shelter will operate at the United Church of Christ on Central Square, according to the Sentinel. Organizers have offered the space for the shelter, a form of hospitality to neighbors without a place to sleep (Matthew 25:35). St. James Episcopal Church has offered to serve as a backup location if needed. My Keene Now said St. James had “agreed” to serve as an alternate, while the city’s announcement described the church’s role as an offer.

The City of Keene, Hundred Nights Inc., and other community organizations coordinate the shelter. According to the city’s announcement, Hundred Nights is overseeing planning meetings, hiring staff, and preparing to train volunteers. My Keene Now reported that Hundred Nights oversees staffing, planning and volunteer training.

The facility will open nightly at 9 p.m., or at 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. People who need shelter must call Hundred Nights at (603) 352-5197 to complete an intake.

The city is contributing $50,000 toward this year’s operations, matching its contribution from last winter, according to My Keene Now and the city’s report. The previous warming center operated from January through March. Organizers are aiming for a 120-day operating season, which the city described as a proposed period.

My Keene Now reported that organizers need additional donations to keep the program running through the April 5 closing date.