Generous givers help shelter pay for boiler

An outpouring of financial support has enabled the Samaritan House homeless shelter in Kalispell to cover a $4,100 bill for emergency boiler repairs and ensure the shelter will be able to “keep the heat on all year,” Director Chris Krager said.

“We were able to completely fund the boiler fix for $4,100, and we raised at least twice that,” Krager said. “The response was amazing. Everyone was calling, wanting to help.”

The boiler heating system broke down a couple of weeks ago as the Flathead Valley headed into a long stretch of frigid weather. Samaritan House had no choice but to get the heating system fixed and figure out later how to pay for the unexpected cost.

Once the dilemma was publicized by the Daily Inter Lake and other local media, local residents opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help out.

Krager said the month of December is a crucial fundraising time for Samaritan House, a nonprofit organization that relies largely on community giving to help shelter the homeless.

“Last year about 40 percent of our budget came in during the last three weeks of the year,” he said.

Resources often are stretched thin during the winter months because the shelter’s policy is to not turn away anyone during the extremely cold weather.

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter, 124 Ninth Ave. W. or can be made online at www.homelessintheflathead.com. For more information about Samaritan House’s needs, call 257-5801.