Livingston HRDC Warming Center Given Donations, Extends Operations

LIVINGSTON, Mont. – The HRDC Warming Center in Livingston, originally set to close for the season on February 28, will remain open longer due to generous community donations.  

Over $90,000 in contributions from local residents have enabled the facility to extend operations until March 15th.  

The seasonal shelter typically operates from November to February each winter, with the possibility of extending into March if needed.  

This year, thanks to strong community support, the center has extended its operations by nearly a month.  

Heather Grenier, CEO of HRDC, expressed gratitude for the donations that have made this extension possible.  

"Ideally, again, we’d be open through the end of March, but initially we thought we only had enough resources to stay open through February, but some additional donations came through, and we were able to push that out to the 15th," said Grenier. 

In addition to community donations, the shelter received a $25,000 grant from the City of Livingston.  

Grenier emphasized that the extension is not weather-related but solely due to the availability of resources.  

"So, this extension has nothing to do with weather conditions, this extension just has to due with the fact that we had enough resources to be able to stay open for a couple extra weeks," she said.  

Grenier also highlighted the importance of keeping the shelter open as long as possible, due to the important nature the facility presents in the Livingston community.  

"And so, we’re really just trying to prevent loss of life for folks who are without stable housing. And so that’s why it’s really rooted in just literally making sure there’s a safe, warm place for folks to sleep," said Grenier.  

The HRDC Warming Center operates overnight from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. For more information, visit their website at hrdc.org or call (406) 333-2537.