Today the City of Beacon shared the message from Dutchess County spotlighting how people can access a warming center. Upon calling the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS), one will find that there is no overnight warming center available in Beacon. A person or people would need to get to Poughkeepsie to the Christ Episcopal Church at 20 Carroll Street. Free transportation in the form of a dedicated bus is not available, and Dutchess County encourages people who need an overnight warming center to call the Beacon Police to consider transportation.

According to New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: “Under New York State regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equals less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended.”

There are 2 warming centers listed with Dutchess County’s 211, which are the Howland Public Library, and the Salvation Army. The local resource HVNY has a list of warming centers by county, and does include these two locations. ALBB called the Salvation Army to confirm hours, but has not received response as of this publishing.

The Salvation Army, 372 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Hours: N/A
845-831-1253

Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY.
Hours: The Library says they are a warming center for their entire open hours:
Monday, Wednesday Friday: 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday/Thursday: 9:30am - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 12pm-4pm
845-831-1165

According to the City of Beacon’s Emergency Alert System today, in the reminder to everyone not to park on the street in more than 2” of snow (for snow plows), they mentioned that the Salvation Army Church, located at 372 Main St. in Beacon, is open as a warming center to those in need. The Salvation Army also has a Food Pantry, should you wish to donate food to it. The Salvation Army accepts food and monetary donations. Contact Captain Leilani Alarcón by emailing Leilani.Alarcon@USE.SalvationArmy.Org

A couple years ago, we took a tour through the Salvation Army to see what it looked like inside and to learn more about their programs. There are since new leaders of the church (Captain Leilani Alarcón and her husband, Lt. Josué Alarcón). You can click here to see pictures of the inside. The Salvation Army also rents out rooms inside of the church, including a gymnasium. Details on that will be in our Business Directory under Event Venues or the Real Estate Listing Guide.