MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – More than 200 people bundled up and stepped into the cold Saturday for Manitowoc’s second annual “Coldest Night of the Year” walk — raising money and awareness for a new, permanent homeless shelter.
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The event is part of a nationwide movement held in hundreds of cities across North America. Organizers say, despite its size, Manitowoc is ranking near the top in fundraising this year.
Locally, the need continues to grow. The temporary shelter can house 12 people, but 15 to 20 may show up on a given night. An estimated 50 to 70 people are experiencing homelessness in Manitowoc at any given time.
“I don’t want to turn folks away,” Pastor Matt Sauer, executive director of the Manitowoc Warming Shelter, said. “And each night we’re turning 2 to 4 folks away from that, from the temporary shelter we have right now.”
The goal is to build a permanent shelter, a project expected to cost between $1.2 and $1.5 million. Before Saturday’s walk, about $780,000 had already been raised. Organizers set a $50,000 fundraising goal for the event — and surpassed it.
“Our goal was 50,000. We’re at 68,000 right now,” Sauer said. “It’s humbling to know that this community is turning out to say, these are our neighbors.”
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Walkers followed a 1.6-mile route through downtown before ending back at First Lutheran Church, where they warmed up with chili, soup and snacks — a reminder of how important a safe, heated space can be on a cold Wisconsin night.
Organizers say donations are still being accepted as they continue working toward their permanent shelter goal.
