Montana Disability Services - Flathead Industries

BE THE CHANGE

CLIMB BIG MOUNTAIN

Climb Big Mountain is the longest running fundraiser at the Whitefish Resort in support of people with disabilities.

Support our community’s safety while supporting our mission either live or virtual.

Recap of 2022

In 2022 we featured a NEW competitive RACE that began at 8a.m.
and continued with a family friendly hike-bike-ride at 9 a.m.

Pre-register for 2023

Become a Sponsor

Join us to help provide recreational, residential and vocational supports to hundreds of people with disabilities living in our community. Proceeds also go to our GAP Scholarship Program and our Crisis Intervention Training -CIT Program.

Join our Sponsor Team!

SHOP•DONATE•SUPPORT

We offer four shopping locations with regular sales and new items each day.
We employ over 30 individuals with disabilities at all of our stores combined.

Learn More

Flathead Thrift

40 East Idaho in Kalispell

(406) 755-3842

Whitefish Thrift

237 Baker Ave in Whitefish

(406) 862-5221

Glacier Thrift

412 Nucleus Ave in Columbia Falls

(406) 892-4849

Clearance Thrift

74 4th Ave. in Kalispell

(406)755-7656

Every day we implement high quality services that assist people with achieving their success
residentially (Live) vocationally (Work), and recreationally (Play).

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

At Flathead Industries, we change people’s lives by providing an array of excellent services designed to meet people at their abilities. From there, we work as a team to help individuals with intellectual disabilities accomplish their life goals.
We are constantly striving to improve our services and create new programs that will help advance the lives of people with disabilities.

Learn About Our Services

Bridge the Gap Scholarship Program

Understand our roots

In 1973 a synergy of concerned parents and families took action to raise money and awareness. Flathead Industries was established and provided supports to eight individuals with disabilities.

Watch Our Story

Recycling Center — September 1973
Flathead ARC open the recycling center in plane eight individuals with developmental disabilities. Due to the automation of recycling in the growth of our thrift stores, the recycling center was closed in 1998. The individuals served in the recycling center transferred to our thrift stores.

Hike & Bike 1984 — September 1973
First annual Hike-Bike race $20,000

Independent Living — February 1977
Flathead Industries purchased a three unit apartment house to provide affordable housing for three consumers who learned to live independently. And December 1982 to more apartment houses were required to provide housing for independent living consumers. In January 2001 these units were replaced with one level apartments located at 5th avenue West North.

July 1991 Whitefish Thrift — July 1991
Our second satellite thrift operation and recycling center opened in Whitefish and in the Spring of 2017 moved to 237 Baker Ave. We currently serve 35 individuals in all our Thrift Stores combined. Our employees sort donations, hang in price clothing etc.

Aug 1991 CBM 40th — August 1991
Flathead Industries hosts its first annual Climb Big Mountain event. Friday, June 27 2014 Flathead Industries celebrated in downtown Kalispell for its 40th Anniversary Celebration and returned to Climb Big Mountain fundraiser in 2015.

November 2009 Life Skills — November 2009
Flathead Industries expanded day services operations by opening a known as Life Skills to accommodate individuals with quieter setting. This site currently serves 16 individuals. October of 2017 Life Skills purchased and relocated to a new building in Kalispell.

February 2012 Work Crew — February 2012
Flathead Industries expanded day services operations by establishing community work crews. These crews perform landscaping, gardening and custodial duties in the community. I currently serve 12 individuals at this site.

October 2017 Clearance store — October 2017
A Clearance Store was opened located at 77 4th Ave WN in Kalispell. The Clearance Store is a last stop for all donations before further recycling out of state and country. The store provides employment to five people with disabilities and everything in the store is one dollar or less.

April 2020 Remodel — April 2020
During the COVID-19 shut down in April of 2020, Flathead Industries kept busy remodeling the stores behind the closed doors. Each store location started with a massive cleaning and a fresh coat of paint from top to bottom. Kalispell Thrift continued remodeling including the entire exterior and a new drive through donation receiving area in 2022.

June 25, 2022 CBM — June 2022
Flathead Industries 30th year at Whitefish Resort, the longest running fundraiser on the mountain. 2022 features the first ever competitive race while keeping the traditional hike, bike and ride options.

Still flourishing today, this concern and commitment to full inclusion for all its residents is one of the components that makes the Flathead Valley a wonderful place to live. Flathead Industries has changed tremendously over the course of more than forty years; we are constantly growing and evolving.

Interested in a job that supports your lifestyle and grows with you?

Watch Video

Join the Movement

View our open positions and apply today.

Apply Now!

LEAD THE WAY

Meet Our Leaders

BE THE CHANGE

CLIMB BIG MOUNTAIN

Recap of 2022

Become a Sponsor

SHOP•DONATE•SUPPORT

Flathead Thrift

Whitefish Thrift

Glacier Thrift

Clearance Thrift

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Flathead Industries’ Services

Residential Services

Vocational Rehabilitation

Day Services

Bridge the Gap Scholarship Program

Understand our roots

Join the Movement

LEAD THE WAY

Contact Us

Client Services

Employment

Donate

Thrift Stores