KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The grassroots Hot Soup, Warm Hearts community meal will return to downtown Keene on Wednesday, Jan. 7, offering free food and fellowship at Railroad Square.

The gathering will run from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature ham and bean soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and brownies, free to anyone who stops by.

The event follows the group’s first-ever Christmas Eve gathering in 2025, when organizer Eric Draper and a team of volunteers served free homemade soup, bread and treats alongside music and conversation. What began as a simple act of kindness has since grown into an ongoing effort to provide warmth, food and connection for community members in need.

Organizers say the January event continues the spirit of the Christmas Eve meal, emphasizing compassion, visibility and community support in downtown Keene.