When the weather got cold this past weekend, the homeless of Wareham had the opportunity for comfort and warmth. 

This winter, the Wareham Area Committee for the Homeless set up an emergency response plan to shelter the homeless during cold stretches, building off an informal effort to do so in February 2023. Through the program, the Committee pays for motel rooms to shelter the homeless during the coldest nights of the year. 

The Committee made the decision on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to invoke the program for the weekend ahead, said Chuck McCullough, chair of the Committee. 

Of the approximately 30 homeless people the Committee is aware of in Wareham, it brought a total of 18 into shelter, McCullough said.

"Not sure if we saved a life, but I think we might have," he added. 

The plan was originally for the homeless to stay through Friday and Saturday nights, but conditions led the stay to be extended through Sunday night. 

In addition to providing shelter, the Committee coordinated with Damien's Place Food Pantry to provide the homeless with food, McCullough said.