The bitter blast is bringing extra urgency to shelters all across the Hudson Valley.

Beds were made and food was prepared at Grace Episcopal Church in Ossining in anticipation of people seeking a warm spot.

Dozens of people were expected to come by for dinner, with at least half of them staying the night.

It is part of a rotation of community churches in Ossining that turn into emergency shelters for about 11 hours overnight during the winter.

The facility will stay open a few extra hours starting tonight to make sure people don't go into dangerously cold weather without a safe place to go.

Around 1,600 people are homeless each night in Westchester.

"We're glad to do it. We're happy to do it. For the most part, the folks that come here appreciate it," says Ossining Emergency Shelter Program manager Bill Caruso.