But I also learned that we’ve saved countless lives by providing a place to stay on cold nights, changed hearts by inviting people to tour our buildings and volunteer with us, and worked constantly to build a community where everyone has a safe place to call home, whether through moving to a new building or opening new program spaces. What I took away from the Poverello Past & Future Exhibit was the knowledge that fear and uncertainty will always be outlasted by help and hope.

That sense solidified as we opened the doors to our 50th Anniversary Gala late last June. It was a beautiful event that showed the power of our community when we come together for a shared purpose. This year, with all of our history in mind, we came back to do it again. Last Thursday, we hosted The Hope Gala. This event was made possible through the dedication of a team committed to our mission. That team includes not just our small development staff but also our amazing volunteers, local shops that donated prizes, Clearwater Credit Union, and several other businesses that sponsored us, as well as the staff at the Missoula Public Library, who graciously helped us host the event.

I often say that Missoula is different from any place I’ve lived before because this community opens its doors, hearts, and minds to the causes it cares about. I am truly grateful to live in a place like this — a place that uplifts its most vulnerable neighbors at critical moments, and that loves to gather for good. As we face rising costs and ever-growing needs, we are stretching our resources further than ever before to keep our doors open and our services strong. We know times are tight for many, but we’re asking our community to join us in stretching their giving, too. Every extra dollar makes a difference in keeping our neighbors safe, warm, and supported through the toughest moments of their lives. Thank you for standing with us.