Help for the homeless
POST FALLS - For the first three years that the North Idaho Project Homeless Connect has been held, the event has doubled every year.
And organizers expect another record attendance Thursday when it will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Idaho National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way.
Brandia Young of the Idaho Department of Labor, an organizer, said the attendance was 125, 250 and 500 in the first three years.
"We're projecting 750 this year," she said, adding that the continued need for help and word about the event are reasons for the expected increase.
The Connect offers free items and services to the homeless in the five northern counties, including a spaghetti lunch, food, clothing, haircuts, veterinarian services, showers, pet food, sleeping bags, bicycle repair and dental and foot care. Several service agencies to assist all ages and backgrounds will be present.
"It's a chance to get all the people who are homeless together, so they can be served all at once as opposed to us going out and trying to find them," Young said.
James Curb, homeless liaison coordinator for the Coeur d'Alene School District, said help for students will also be available.
"If there's any speed bump to a child's education, we want to help them overcome those challenges," Curb said.
Food, cash, clothing and other donations, which are tax-deductible, can be made at the Labor office in Post Falls at 600 N. Thornton St. east of the Walmart on Mullan Avenue during business hours.
The event is used as a "point-in-time" survey to determine an estimated number of homeless people in the area. The estimate is used for applying for homeless grants.
Young said about a quarter of the local homeless people are veterans.
"Unprecedented times require unprecedented actions," a press release states.
Volunteers for the event - both the day before and day of - are also needed. Those interested can sign up at www.kootenaiunitedway.org.
Information: Young, 457-8789, ext. 3998, Brandia.Young@labor.idaho.gov, Robert Shoeman at 457-8789, ext. 3993, Robert.Shoeman@labor.idaho.gov or volunteer coordinator Jessica Godderz at 667-8112, jessica@kootenaiunitedway.org.