COEUR d'ALENE - Though winter is winding down, the need for shelter, warm food and other services exists year-round for the homeless and near homeless.

Fresh Start recently received a grant of $5,000 from the Avista Foundation to support the operations of the organization that offers food, showers and laundry facilities to Kootenai County's most vulnerable population.

It also offers area homeless individuals a warming center when overnight temperatures reach 20 degrees or lower.

"We estimate there are 1,200 homeless individuals in Kootenai County, many of whom suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse issues," said Howard Martinson, executive director of Fresh Start.

This winter, the warming center was open 31 nights and accommodated about 725 overnight guests.

"That's 700 times people didn't have to sleep in the Dumpster or end up in the streets," he said.

Last winter, it was open 30 nights and had 825 overnight guests.

Martinson attributed the decline in numbers to Ignite Hope, the shelter that opened this winter in Post Falls.

People have been able to stay overnight there, as well as leave their belongings during the day.

Patty Shea, Avista regional business manager for Coeur d'Alene, said with fewer public resources available to help those who are homeless or low income, programs like Fresh Start bring private resources together in ways that strengthen the safety net of services people need to succeed."

"Working together with other community organizations, we are bridging the gaps left by funding cut-backs during these difficult economic times," she said.