#Maine - #BangorME #WarmingCenter draws near record crowd amid temperature drop

By Brian Sullivan
Published: Jan. 16, 2026 at 3:34 PM EST

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - "The return to more January-like conditions made for one of the busiest days on record for a Bangor warming center.

"By 9:30 a.m. Friday, The Well, located off Center Street, had 73 people checked in.

"They offer breakfast and lunch, laundry, and a hot shower. It’s also a chance to be seen by a medical professional.

"Open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week, the crew tells WABI they work to meet people where they’re at.

" 'I have experienced other places in the Bangor area that are meant to be helping the homeless,' explained warming center user Kerry Robinson. 'There is nothing compares to this.'

" 'There’s a lot of mental illness that’s not being taken care of,' said Jericho Road Street Ministry, President, Mel Coombs. 'Some of the mental illness is treated, but they lose their medication because they are homeless, and they don’t have a proper storage for the medication. We love everybody that comes through our door. We don’t discriminate at all. I don’t think housing is the answer. It would help, but it’s not a long-term solution. I spoke to the city council the other day, and I basically told them the same thing. That’s not the answer. I don’t have the answers, but hopefully we’re here until somebody comes up with the right solution.'

"The Well is operated by Jericho Road Ministry. They are a 501 3C non-profit and run solely on donations.

"They accept money but are also happy to take clothing and other items to help people get though the colder months."

https://www.wabi.tv/2026/01/16/bangor-warming-center-draws-near-record-crowd-amid-temperature-drop/

#Unhoused #Homeless #Houseless #Maine #WarmingCenters #ArcticBlast #PolarVortex #ExtremeCold