Samaritan House hopes to raise $45,000 at annual auction

The Samaritan House in Kalispell helps approximately 1,600 homeless people from the Flathead each year. Every night, all 105 of their beds are filled with homeless people from Bigfork, Somers, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, and Whitefish.

This year the Samaritan House hopes to raise $45,000 at their sixth annual “Cowboy Up Auction” at the Best Western White Oak Lodge near Somers on Montana 93 on April 21. The auction will feature a live performance from the Smart Alex as guests dine on a cooked pig roast dinner and participate in both live and silent auctions.

There will also be a ticket holder raffle.

Part of the reason Samaritan House needs to raise these funds is because their commitment to their clients extends beyond short-term stays. Executive Director of the Samaritan House, Chris Krager, estimates it can take a homeless person between three and six months to get back on their feet since most housing units require first month’s rent and a security deposit.

For the last six years the average number of homeless people in Flathead County for the month of January has been 488, according to Krager.

In addition to providing a warm, safe, and dry place to stay, the Samaritan House also provides transitional housing and a cafeteria for those in need of assistance. And, according to Krager, the need is always on the rise.

“The term ‘cowboy up’ means it’s time to get tough and deal with something,” Krager said. “So, we cowboyed up and made the event, and kept it going every year for the Samaritan House. We’ve got expenses and we didn’t know how we were going to pay for them.”

A team of about 30 people has been hitting the streets, asking citizens and businesses alike for donations to the auction. In previous years, boats and vehicles have been donated.

As of April 11, no boats or vehicles were donated to the auction, but several businesses and people throughout the Flathead have made donations such as hotel stays, meals, and camping packages.

Thanks to the bigger space available at the White Oak Lodge, Krager anticipates between 200 and 250 guests for this year’s event.

“If it weren’t for the people and businesses being generous, then Samaritan House wouldn’t exist,” Krager said. “If we don’t meet our goal, we will have to keep trying something.”

Tickets for the auction are $30 each or $210 for a table of eight. The doors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the auction will begin once dinner winds down.

To make a donation or for more information about the auction or Samaritan House, call 257-5801 or check out their blog at www.homelessinflathead.com.