Marilyn Pierce is the Middletown Warming Center co-chair. She spent the past few months preparing a warm space for those who need somewhere to sleep at night. She also added a few things that make it a home.

Supplies in tow, residents are ready for a safe night in the warmth.

“You can see there’s a bin by that cot, there’s a bin by that cot,” Pierce said.

The sleeping room can accommodate up to 30 residents a night, all with their assigned bin of items and separate sections for both men and women.

Pierce says guests know how valuable just one night at the center is.

“One of our guests said ‘let him come him and take my cot. If I could just take a blanket to take with me, I’ll take it to my tent and I’ll give up [mine]’ ... This is what we see from our guests,” Pierce said.

Marilyn and her team consist of volunteers responsible for checking in and feeding guests from 9-9:30 p.m., with three of them staying overnight to provide any assistance.

After a night at the center, guests are given food to take with them for the day.

Local businesses, charities, and other neighbors donate food that fill breakfast bags. They are packed by volunteers.

It’s important to the volunteers to make each guest feel like they’re at home as they brace for another cold winter.