Homeless shelters say outreach successful during winter storm

The Flathead County’s two major homeless shelters are reporting successful outreach efforts during the cold snap that hit here beginning on Wednesday.

The Flathead Warming Center and the Samaritan House combined took in around 85 people off of the streets during the spell of snow and frigid temperatures.

Every homeless person offered shelter during the storm eventually made it indoors, according to Tanya Horn, with the warming center, and Chris Krager of the Samaritan House.

Temperatures got as low as minus 33F Thursday, with wind chills making it feel like minus 51F.

Horn said only one man staying in downtown Kalispell refused to come inside, and that volunteers dropped off an additional sleeping bag for him. Krager said the man was very polite, but that he was insistent that he preferred to stay outside.

Kalispell police eventually convinced the man to spend the night in a shelter, according to the shelter directors. Horn was appreciative of law enforcement efforts, recognizing their compassion when it comes to dealing with the homeless population.

The warming shelter remained open all day Wednesday and Thursday. Typically the shelter operates during night time hours, but extended services due to the cold snap.

The nature of homelessness makes counting the population difficult, but both shelters directors were satisfied with outreach efforts.

Krager said that in his drive to check the “usual spots,” he found that most were empty, something he took to be a good sign of people finding shelter.

Both shelters also reported adequate staffing levels during the increased service.

Horn said that the weather and the holiday period brought out people’s generosity, and that the shelter had lots of donations coming in, a silver lining on what could have become a tragedy.