Who cares about homelessness in the Flathead?

More than 100 Kalispell Middle School students asked that question.

The result is a pictorial and essay exhibit — titled Who Cares? — that explores and confronts stigmas and preconceived notions about homelessness.

The exhibit at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell is a collaboration between the Samaritan House homeless shelter and seventh-grade students from team Pumas.

The Samaritan House serves 1,600 people annually.

Most of them are only episodically experiencing homelessness for a number of reasons, particularly unforeseen financial or medical issues. Only three percent are chronically homeless.

Local photographer and Samaritan House board member Heidi Long produced 15 black-and-white portraits of past and present Samaritan House clients.

“I want to put a face to homelessness in the valley,” Long said. She pointed to a portrait of an older woman resting her head on her hands and smiling: “It’s far from the image of bums in dirty clothes, isn’t it? You would never guess they were homeless.”

There is a portrait of Clinton, who has a wife, education and job — but no home —  and Ed, who became homeless in midwinter.

As Samaritan House director, Chris Krager is close to the people pictured.

“When I look at these portraits, I know these people,” Krager said. “To see their smile, to know what they’re going through — it’s pretty amazing they are willing to share their portrait to the valley.”

Beside the portraits, student-written essays, brochures and metaphors about the Samaritan House and homelessness are displayed.

Kalispell Middle School language arts teacher Camille Dietz had students read various stories and newspaper articles to research facts and complete a unit titled “Stories of Shelters.”

To learn more about local homelessness, students heard presentations from Krager and Long at the school.

The exhibit, open through April 20, challenges viewers to resist stereotypes or notions of disheveled people pushing belongings in shopping carts and see the gray areas of homelessness, Long said.

Seventh-grader Lacie Curtin stood near a portrait of Frank, whose caption read: “A young man with serious illness who chose between buying medication or paying rent.”

According to Curtin, “If you’re sick, do you pay bills for health or for house?”

Before completing the “Stories of Shelters” unit, Curtin, like others, thought that people were homeless because they chose to spend money on unnecessary items such as alcohol or cigarettes.

The project affected her so much that she put together a backpack of clothing and shoes to donate to the shelter and hopes to get a group together to help out at the shelter.

“It could be anyone that is homeless. It could happen to you or me,” Curtin said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.