POST FALLS - The gift of warmth has arrived just in time for winter for the homeless.

The St. Vincent de Paul overnight warming center at 202 W. Seventh St. in Post Falls - in peril two weeks ago of not opening due to funding woes - will open on nights the forecast calls for temperatures 25 degrees or lower. Nearly $10,000 worth of donations have poured in, making the center available.

"We're opening the doors; we're ready to go," said Matt Hutchinson, St. Vincent's social service director. "The community has been really responsive and helpful. People are willing to give because they know the need. I'm humbled and very grateful for the community."

The Post Falls center will give the homeless another option in addition to the center St. Vincent operates at Fresh Start on East Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. Each shelter holds about 40 people.

St. Vincent Executive Director Jeff Conroy said the fundraising goal for the Post Falls center remains $18,750, but the nearly $10,000 that has been raised is enough to open it for at least a portion of the winter.

"We're going with the mode that we plan to open, hoping we'll get more donations," Conroy said. "The community support has been fantastic. We're very blessed."

Hutchinson said opening the center needed to be done.

"It's going to be cold and there will be people outside," he said. "We need to make our best effort to help people."

Keeping each center open from Nov. 1 through March 1 - an estimated 75 nights each winter - costs about $20,000 per center. In addition to utilities and other basics, St. Vincent pays a man and a woman $100 each for working a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at each center. Volunteers provide additional staffing.

The announcement of the Post Falls opening is timely, especially with winter just around the corner and dozens of homeless being required by a developer to leave a homeless camp near Target in Coeur d'Alene.

"We'll see an increase in need - I guarantee it," Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Post Falls has again agreed to provide food to the center.

St. Vincent leaders say 68 percent of the local homeless population are North Idahoans and not passing through.

Those who would like to make a tax-deductible donation to St. Vincent for the Post Falls warming shelter can send it to: St. Vincent de Paul, 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.