Good Samaritans deliver tasty fare to those in need

Dick and Marian Reed’s Christmas gift to the Flathead Valley’s less fortunate residents is a dish familiar to many: rotisserie chicken from Costco.

The retired couple, formerly of Minnesota, began delivering the hot, roasted chickens to Samaritan House homeless shelter and other service organizations many years ago and are still at it.

This year the Reeds donated 10 containers of chicken to Flathead Food Bank at Thanksgiving, and will be delivering 20 Costco chickens to Samaritan House on Christmas Eve.

“The chickens are so good, it’s something warm for them to eat,” said Dick, 84. “They (the shelter staff) tell people ahead of time and they’re waiting for them.”

He said he doesn’t want publicity about his charitable giving for his own sake, but rather wants to encourage others to do the same, or go a step further.

“We’re just trying to help out the community,” he said.

Dick suggests anyone wanting to donate Costco chickens or other food should call the Samaritan House at 406-257-5801 or Flathead Food Bank at 406-751-8752 and make arrangements.