What grew into a larger organization under A Ray of Hope started as a thrift store 24 years ago. Today, the thrift endeavor, now named Hope Thrift, is just one part of the organization that continues to offer hope and resources for people who may need it.  

It’s always been about giving people a hand up, said Wayne Appl, outreach and fundraising coordinator with Ray of Hope. 

A Ray of Hope is a local, faith-based nonprofit that sims to provide a safe harbor for community members with nowhere else to go. Those who seek help are provided with food, clothing, shelter and job training to develop skills to move forward.  

Right now, A Ray of Hope owns two homes — one a women’s shelter and one a men’s shelter — a thrift store, a single-family apartment and is always looking at ways to expand to help the community.  

The shelters, Bob’s House and Peggy’s House, are named after the founders of A Ray of Hope, Bob and Peggy Christensen. They founded the nonprofit in 1998. 

The first Ray of Hope thrift store opened in 1999 on U.S. 2 in Kalispell. It didn’t take long before mattresses were put on the floor, warm meals were provided, and the initiative took a deeper look into how to break the cycle of homelessness in the valley.  

“Everyone who stays at the shelter is required to do benevolence hours, and they can get those done by volunteering at the thrift store,” Appl said.  

When Appl first came to A Ray of Hope, he himself was struggling with housing and addiction. That was eight years ago, Appl said, and he still lives there, working for the organization full time.  

“To be of service and give back to the place that helped us is so important,” Appl said. “It saved my life. We’re living proof that it gets better.” 

Appl, over the years, helped run the thrift store, helping fundraise and working to secure grants for operating costs, since all money Hope Thrift makes is funneled back into A Ray of Hope’s services. 

Hope Thrift, located at 105 6th Ave. W., is located behind Bob and Peggy’s Houses. From decorations to winter jackets to games, the store boasts an assortment of fairly priced thrifted goods for both shelter residents and the public to check out.  

“To see the change in people [at A Ray of Hope] and then to see that change get made at the thrift store, it’s incredible,” said Debbie Patterson, co-manager of Hope Thrift.  

Patterson came to Hope Thrift five years ago after coming to the store to search for ornaments for her children. She started shopping, then volunteering and now officially works and helps run the store. 

The store helps its employees run a structured schedule to help people get back on track, ultimately putting residents into community jobs throughout the valley.  

Ken Lapp, a volunteer at Hope Thrift and a resident at Bob’s House, has been at Hope Thrift for almost nine months. He currently volunteers twice a week after dropping his number of volunteer hours to accommodate another job at a restaurant.  

The job, Lapp said, is his first official job in six years, much of that success he attributes to the help of A Ray of Hope and Hope Thrift.  

“What’s cool is that it’s called Hope Thrift. It gives you hope, at least it gave me hope to prepare for my life,” Lapp said. “They got me back into the community.”  

When Lapp came to A Ray of Hope, he was living in Conrad Cemetary. Born and raised in the valley, Lapp said his hopelessness turned to hopefulness after asking for help.  

“Life can begin again, it's not a restart button, but life can flourish again,” he said. “I just don’t want people who need the help to be afraid to ask.” 

The Hope Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The managers and other volunteers help train residents in skills from being a better employee to budgeting to help move recovery along. All investments return to A Ray of Hope.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].