Volunteers needed to help conduct homeless Point-in-Time survey

Collaborative Housing Solutions of Northwest Montana is seeking volunteers to assist in handing out its annual Point-in-Time survey, which helps get an accurate count of the area’s homeless population.

Collaborative Housing Solutions is a coalition of social services agencies in the region that work to address housing insecurity and supportive issues. The group needs volunteers for various Community Connect events happening during the Point-in-Time survey, between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. 

The events aim to provide helpful resources and connect people with services while also asking where they slept the night of Jan. 25, in addition to follow-up questions. The survey is conducted across the country and serves to provide a better understanding of how many people are experiencing homelessness. 

Seven pop-up style events will take place in the Flathead Valley, according to a release from the group. 

On Jan. 25, a Canyon Community Dinner will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hungry Horse Elementary School. Feed the Flathead takes place at that same time in Kalispell at First Presbyterian. An event is scheduled at the ImagineIF Libraries branch in Kalispell from 3 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 26. 

A pop-up will convene at the Veterans Food Pantry in Evergreen on Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Bigfork Food Bank is the next location slated for Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. till noon. St. Richard Catholic Church in Columbia Falls will host a dinner that night from 5 to 7 p.m. And on Jan. 31, the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish will host a pop-up from noon until 2 p.m. 

Volunteers should sign up for a training on Jan. 18 in addition to a shift for a pop-up event. That takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the South Campus Conference Room in Kalispell. Lunch will be provided and volunteers are asked to bring a laptop or mobile device. Those who cannot attend can find Zoom training provided by the state. 

Anyone interested can sign-up by contacting Kyle Waterman at Kyle4Kalispell@gmail.com or by calling 406-871-4885. Collaborative Housing Solutions member and Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager can also help coordinate volunteers and can be reached at ckrager@samaritanhousemt.com or by calling 406-261-1081.

A planning meeting is also scheduled for Jan. 23 at the Nurturing Center, starting at 4 p.m. 

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.