As winter settles over Fremont County, the Warming Hut, provided by Wind River Family & Community Health Care, remains open 24 hours a day, offering refuge and warmth to anyone who needs it. Inside, people find more than shelter. They find kindness, safety, and a community that quietly looks after one another.
Shelter Supervisor Kelly Arthur shared that one of the most striking things about the Warming Hut is how often guests share what little they have. “We’re here to keep you warm,” she said, “and people help each other based on who needs it most.” In a season that asks us to slow down and notice our neighbors, the Hut becomes a living reminder of what generosity looks like in action.
What They Need Right Now
To keep the Hut running smoothly through the coldest months, donations from the community are essential. Food, winter clothing, and monetary support all help keep this vital resource open and stocked.
The Warming Hut currently welcomes donations of:
Food Items
Since the Hut only has a microwave for cooking, all food must be microwave-friendly or ready to eat. Requested items include:
- Dry foods
- Coffee and coffee creamer
- Sugar
- Kool-Aid
- Fruit
- Ramen
- Bread
- Lunch meat
- Anything easily warmed or prepared without a stove or oven
- Frozen food that can be microwaved
Winter Wear & Essentials
• Coats
• Gloves
• Hats
• Blankets
• Other cold-weather accessories to help keep visitors warm day and night
The Hut is open to anyone in Fremont County. They simply ask that you follow the rules.
Rides are offered by volunteers when possible, though there is currently no official transportation service.
Donations may be dropped off directly at the Warming Hut, located behind the 789 Smokeshop & Casino at 180 Red Wolf Place in Riverton. For questions, staff can be reached at 307-438-3370.
This warm space exists because of community support, and every item donated, whether a can of fruit, a pair of gloves, or a bag of coffee, becomes part of someone’s comfort on a bitter night.
Supporting the Homeless Shelter in Arapahoe
In addition to the Warming Hut, the Homeless Shelter in Arapahoe, located behind the Wind River Cares Arapahoe Clinic, is also in urgent need this season. They are accepting:
• Winter wear, with a special need for children’s jackets
• Blankets
• Dishes
• Microwaves
• Coffee pots
• Towels
• Toiletries
• Any household or personal-care items that help families feel stable and supported
This is a place where essentials become lifelines and where even the simplest donated item can restore hope.
In the Spirit of the Season
If the holidays are a time for anything, they are a time for recognizing our shared humanity. Supporting these shelters doesn’t just offer warmth; it offers dignity, relief, and a reminder that no one in our community stands alone.
