There was joy in the air at Samaritan House’s administrative offices last week, where the organization’s personnel and volunteers gathered to celebrate the start of construction on new apartments for low-income families and veterans.  

The building project has raised $11.1 million of its $16.9 million goal, according to Executive Director Chris Krager. He said it’s the biggest project the organization has ever taken on, but it will create housing that is desperately needed in Northwest Montana.  

He said Thursday’s event was a great showing of support from the community. 

"We're deeply grateful for that and humbled by all the generous donations ... We’re excited that this kick starts the public phase of our capital campaign. So, we hope to get some momentum and get it rolling,” Krager said.  

The project includes 16 apartments for veterans, 18 two-to-three-bedroom apartments for families (both income based) and an expansion of the administrative building to allow for a larger cafeteria and a cold weather overflow shelter. In addition to this, there will be a community garden, a playground and community room for its future residents. 

Ahead of the groundbreaking, attendees heard speeches from people involved with the capital campaign, including Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Board President and CEO Lorraine Clarno, who told the story of how she decided to get involved with the endeavor. 

She said Krager came into her office last April and laid out the vision for the project asking about someone who could lead local fundraising efforts.  

“I threw out a couple of names of people I thought might be excellent, and then all of a sudden, I couldn't believe myself when I said, ‘Would you accept me? I would be honored to do that with you, Chris,” Clarno said. “So, for the past four months, our team has been very quietly reaching out to the community and those efforts have brought us here today. We're blessed to live in a community that is generous, thoughtful and deeply committed to helping our neighbors overcome challenges, often behind beyond their control.”  

Joan Corbin and her daughter Micheala also gave a speech ahead of the groundbreaking. The Corbins have been residents at Samaritan House for three years after losing their home at the Outlaw Inn when it closed in 2022. They are set to be the first family to move into the low-income apartments being built. 

"Soon Michaela and I will occupy one of these beautiful units and we will be a part of this lovely neighborhood. We will always be a part of the Samaritan House family,” Corbin said. “We are truly grateful to Samaritan House for the effort and hard work put into this project. Homelessness is a huge problem in our country, it would be wonderful if others were following your footsteps and take the time to help the homeless." 

The event also included live music, free shaved ice and a dunk tank, where a few local elected officials volunteered to get soaked. Sheriff Brian Heino, Kalispell City Councilor Ryan Hunter, Rep. Courtenay Sprunger and Flathead County commissioner Brad Abell were among those who took the plunge.  

Abell said he thinks Samaritan House is a “great organization that gives people a hand-up, not a handout.” 

"They hold people accountable, and they teach people how to how to thrive in our community. I see a lot of good things that are done through Samaritan House,” Abell said. “I think [the expansion] is going to help bring some housing for blue collar families and people just starting out. That's my understanding, that this is affordable housing for those people that need it most.”  

As the homeless outreach organization prepares to enter its public phase of fundraising, Clarno said she is excited after the feats made in the first phase of the capital campaign. 

“The last four months working on the quiet phase and the number of unbelievably generous donors in this community that have stepped forward — they see the need; they see the vision and they want to be a part of the work. So, we want to just keep building community in Kalispell, and that's really what this is about,” Clarno said.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com. 

This story has been updated to include Kalispell City Councilor Ryan Hunter in the list of dunk tank volunteers.

    Rep. Courtenay Sprunger splashes into the dunk tank during a groundbreaking ceremony for Samaritan House's expansion project on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Andrea Robinson, owner of Montana Art and Soul, paints a young girls' face during a groundbreaking ceremony for Samaritan House's expansion project on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Samaritan House residents Michaela and Joan Corbin speak during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Executive director Chris Krager speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Samaritan House's expansion project on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Rep. Courtenay Sprunger laughs as she steps out of the dunk tank during a groundbreaking ceremony for Samaritan House's expansion project on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider