The fifth annual Project Homeless Connect will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

A wide variety of services by businesses, nonprofit and government agencies will available for individuals, families and veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at the flagpole.

The annual Montana Homeless Survey conducted in January identified 430 children and 554 adults known to be homeless in Northwest Montana. Of that total, 26 percent were veterans.

Other statistics:

• 44 percent receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

• 55 percent have been in the community for two years or longer.

• 64 percent have been homeless two or more times in the past three years.

• 32 percent have some sort of mental health illness.

• 40 percent have no steady income.

Guests will be asked to fill out an intake form that will assess their situation, including whether they consider themselves to be homeless or at risk for being homeless (about to be evicted or foreclosed, etc.) and whether they have struggled to pay housing costs such as rent, mortgages or utility bills over the past six months.

The intake form will help direct people to find or locate appropriate services.

Among the services available are:

• Bicycle repair.

• Dental exam, cleaning and treatment referrals.

• Employment assistance.

• Financial education.

• Free lunch at Cafe Connect.

• Hair care.

• Identification services (Montana driver’s license and birth certificate).

• Medical services, including immunizations and general health information.

• Pet services, including vaccinations, microchipping, basic health checkup, spay/neuter certificate and pet supplies.

• Veterans services, including transportation and housing options, medical services, readjustment counseling, advocacy and employment for veterans.

• Household items and personal care items, including clothing and accessories, and sleeping bags.

There also will be art activities for children and youths throughout the day.

During the 2014 Project Homeless Connect, a total of 609 people received a wide variety of services. People from 40 community agencies and organizations contributed 1,453 volunteer hours last year.

Volunteers and donations are still being accepted to help with this year’s Project Homeless Connect.

Volunteers will assist with a specific work assignment and must be registered. There will be an orientation session before the event. Registration forms are available by calling the United Way Volunteer Center at 752-7266 or emailing to caring@northwestmontanaunitedway.org.

Donations needed are sleeping bags, bedding and blankets, children’s clothing and summer clothing for all ages. Donations may be dropped of at the United Way office, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Suite 3.