B Fenchak comment re Warming Center CUPJudi Funk
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Flathead Warming Center Conditional Use Permit
From: B bradford-fenchak <drmelilot@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 9:45 PM
Cc: Kari Barnhart <khernandez@kalispell.com>; Kalispell Meetings Public Comment <publiccomment@kalispell.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Flathead Warming Center Conditional Use Permit
Dear Kalispell City Planning Board and Kalispell City Council,
As part of Community Kitchen -Feeding the Flathead for 24 years, I've fed many of the people
needing the services of the Flathead Warming Center. I've found it heart -breaking to send
people out in the frigid temperatures to walk several miles to see if there is an opening at a
shelter because no answer was given to phone requests about shelter vacancies.
Please approve the conditional use permit for the following reasons:.
1. Reduction in people needing hospitalization for hypothermia
2. Reduces medical treatment for illnesses resulting from exposure
3. Reduces or eliminates deaths from hypothermia and other cold weather exposure related
illnesses.
4. Provides a chance to refer guests to services needed to help them prepare to re- enter
society. i.e. mental health services, housing and employment
5. Provides one location for people to sleep safely out of our harsh winter weather with
bathroom facilities available.
a) people without will shelter sleep in doorways, behind dumpsters ect.
b) bathroom needs will be met in public places (from personal experience can say taking out
the trash only to find feces.is quite unpleasant.)
6. Low barrier shelter is the only hope some of the homeless people have if:
a) Samaritan House and A Ray of Hope are full
b)Something in their past precludes their admittance to either of the above shelters or if they
have exceeded the number of times to shelter there.
c) They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs but are maintaining good behaviour
1
7. When I worked at Flathead Warming Center last year at no time did I feel unsafe. The
guests were pleasant and respectful of staff , the facility, each other and the surrounding
area.
I respectfully request The Flathead Warming Center Conditional Use permit be approved.
Thank you,
Fenchak
the Flathead
B. Bradford
president Community Kitchen -Feeding
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is
whether we provide enough for those who have too little." — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President
of the United States
z