Homelessness is a reality that touches every corner of the United States, affecting more than half a million people on any given night. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent individuals and families, veterans, children, and seniors, many of whom find themselves without a safe place to sleep. In Pennsylvania alone, thousands face this struggle daily, grappling with the challenges of securing shelter, food, and hope amid harsh economic and social realities. As communities seek solutions, events like the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) rally neighbors, volunteers, and organizations together, proving that collective action can light a path toward warmth and security for all.
The reasons behind homelessness are as complex as the people it affects. While many might believe that homelessness results from individual choices or personal failings, the truth reveals a deeper story. The leading causes — lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, and low wages — are systemic issues that can affect anyone, especially during unexpected crises. Economic hardship, health problems, family breakdown, or sudden job loss can leave individuals and families vulnerable, sometimes just a paycheck or two away from losing their homes.
The face of homelessness is often misunderstood. It’s not limited to adults or those living in large cities; it reaches into small towns, rural communities, and includes children and families. The effects are profound, impacting not only where someone sleeps but also their health, education, job opportunities, and overall well-being. Without stable housing, people often lack access to basic services like healthcare, nutritious food, and sanitation, leading to cycles of hardship that are difficult to break.
Pennsylvania’s experience reflects the national crisis. According to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 12,000 Pennsylvanians were homeless each night in 2023, with the number rising to over 14,000 in 2024. This increase, an alarming 18 percent jump from the prior year, underscores the urgency of the issue. The homeless population includes families with children, unaccompanied minors, and veterans, with over 5,000 families and at least 700 veterans affected in 2024.
These figures are not confined to major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; rural regions such as Central Pennsylvania are also seeing growing numbers. For example, local counts in Lycoming County have identified many families and children experiencing homelessness, often facing disruptions in schooling and the risks associated with unstable living situations. While the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness can fluctuate seasonally, the trend is clear: homelessness is a persistent and growing problem that requires coordinated, community-based solutions.
In the fight against homelessness, local organizations are the backbone of care and support. That is why the American Rescue Workers (ARW) has once again organized the Coldest Night of the Year Walk to raise funds to fight homelessness. A fight that is deeply personal for many in the Williamsport community. People like Bethany Engle, a long-time volunteer with American Rescue Workers, turn compassion into action. “I decided to walk because my faith won’t let me look away. On the coldest night of the year, I want my steps to support American Rescue Workers and my neighbors in Lycoming County who need warmth, shelter, and hope,” Bethany shared. Her commitment is contagious. She started volunteering in college and now brings her family, including her husband and children, to help serve meals on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Bethany’s fundraising efforts have inspired her community as well. This year, she has already raised $1,600 for the Coldest Night of the Year event, with a generous neighbor, Hudock Capital Group, LLC, pledging a $5,000 match to her team’s total. Such stories reveal how individual passion and generosity can multiply impact, drawing others into the cause and reminding everyone that meaningful change starts with one person’s willingness to care.
Event organizers echo this spirit of solidarity. “Coldest Night of the Year is a way for us to bring awareness to what it might feel like to be out in the cold, with nowhere to go, cold, and suffering. People right here in Williamsport are living in their cars. You don’t necessarily notice them. It’s invisible. Until you purposefully put yourself in a situation that gives you the moment to stop, think, and ponder, it is then that you can see the homeless. You will notice things differently,” says Jennifer Rempe, ARW’s Director of Development & Community Engagement.
The Coldest Night of the Year is more than a fundraising walk. It’s a movement that brings communities together to show compassion, raise awareness, and inspire action for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Each February, thousands across North America brave the winter weather, stepping outside their comfort zones to walk in solidarity with those who have no choice but to face the cold every night.
This year, the event takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Participants can choose to walk a 1 or 3-mile route (2 or 5 km) at a designated CNOY location or in their own neighborhoods. Registration is free, with fundraising as the central goal. Walkers of all ages, including families, churches, schools, businesses, and community groups, are invited to join. Those who reach fundraising milestones ($150 for adults, $75 for youth) earn a cozy CNOY winter beanie as a token of gratitude and a symbol of the warmth they helped provide.
Williamsport’s walk begins and ends at Lamade Gym on the Lycoming College campus, with the college serving as a key partner and providing dozens of student volunteers. Along the way, walkers enjoy hot drinks and camaraderie, and after the walk, they share a simple meal together, reminding everyone to be grateful for warmth and fellowship. In addition, organizers invite participants to describe what it feels like to be hungry or homeless, using colorful sticky notes to create a collective reflection on empathy and hope.
Since its launch in Canada in 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised more than $80 million across North America for charities serving those facing homelessness and food insecurity. In the United States, the event is now in its fifth year, having raised $4 million since 2022. Last year, 56 U.S. locations saw 8,300 walkers raise $1.6 million, and this year, the momentum is growing, with 74 locations, 3,700 walkers, and over $591,000 raised as of early February. Canada continues to lead the way, with over 5 million dollars raised at 223 walks this year alone.
Williamsport’s community has embraced the event with passion and generosity. Last year, 150 walkers across 18 teams raised almost $20,000, with local sponsors contributing $3,500. This year, participation and donations are ahead of schedule, with more teams, walkers, and funds raised than at the same time last year — a testament to growing awareness and commitment. Every $25 raised provides one night of shelter for a man, woman, or child, covering bedding, clothing, meals, and case management. “All the money that we raise goes towards supporting the work that we do here,” said Rempe. “Meals, general upkeep of our 3 homeless shelters, and the food pantry. We just launched our Mobile Food Pantry, a new initiative to bring food to people who are indigent, unable to access public transportation, or have a myriad of other issues. We have case managers who provide support in accessing whatever resources each person needs at the time of our encounters, whether that’s a one-time visit to our food pantry or a resident who has lived with us for 30 days or 6 months.”
Sponsors play an essential role as well. Overhead Doors of Lycoming County, New Trail Brewing, and Northwest Bank are among the local businesses backing the event, while the Triumph and Lifeline Association from SCI Coal Township, a group of incarcerated men with life or lengthy sentences, has donated over $150,000 to regional nonprofits in the past five years, demonstrating that compassion knows no boundaries.
Getting involved in the Coldest Night of the Year is simple, but the impact is lasting. Anyone can register at http://www.cnoy.com/Williamsport as an individual or as part of a team. Fundraisers set personal goals and invite friends and family to support their walk. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to become sponsors, helping underwrite the event’s costs and maximize donations for services.
Volunteers are always needed, whether to help with event logistics, serve food, or simply encourage walkers along the route. Lycoming College students and staff set a powerful example by using the event as a Service Saturday and providing hands-on support to ensure everything ran smoothly. For those who prefer to support from without participating in the Walk, donations of any size are welcome and go directly toward shelter, meals, and critical services for local families.
Homelessness is not an issue that can be solved overnight, nor is it the responsibility of any one person or organization. It takes the combined efforts of government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and most importantly, individuals willing to care and act. The Coldest Night of the Year is more than a walk; it’s a symbol of hope, unity, and the belief that no one should face the cold alone. By participating, fundraising, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every community member plays a role. The compassion shown on one cold night in February can ignite a movement that lasts all year, bringing warmth, stability, and hope to those who need it most. Let this season be a reminder that every step counts, every dollar matters, and together, we can help ensure that everyone in our community has a place to call home.
The event takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Anyone who would like to donate to a team can do so at cnoy.com/Williamsport. General walkers can sign up for the ARW team on the same website. For more information or to become a sponsor, please call Jennifer Rempe at 570-323-8401 x6.
