By Heather Hintze

EUGENE, Ore.--  Last year, the Egan Memorial Warming Center opened in the old armory for a few days when the temperatures dropped below freezing.  It was shut down due to the lack of resources.

This year, organizers say they've been preparing and planning all summer to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Instead of one central location, the warming center will be broken up into several sites at churches around the Eugene/Springfield area.

First Christian Church, United Methodist Church and The Valley Covenant Church will all open their doors when needed this winter.  Each will be able to hold about 50 people.

"I woke up one night, and the thought in my head was, our church is sitting there, empty, with the heat on, and no one is using it," says volunteer Jim Kooiman.

On cold days, organizers from the Egan Warming Center will email organizations that service the homeless to get the word out that the centers will be open that night.

Lane Transit District will also provide free rides to anyone needing to go to a warming center.