Submitted Photo The Minot Automotive team of, left to right, Sarah Vetter, Dan Ross, Steve Debertin and Ryan Vetter get ready to shoot at last year’s inaugural “Shoot for Shelter” event at the Minot Gun Club. The event raises money for the Men’s Winter Refuge, Minot’s only men’s homeless shelter.

hrough April 30, the Minot Area Men’s Winter Refuge has been helping men in need since 2013. Offering a variety of services, they run off of special funding from different groups, donations, and fundraisers. Hosting three annual fundraisers a year, one of their newest will take place this weekend.

On Saturday, their 2nd Annual Shoot for Shelter Fundraiser Trapshooting Tournament will return to the Minot Gun Club for shooters of all skills to participate in. Check-in will begin at 10 a.m. with the shooting starting at 11 a.m.

“The event is basically just a fun little fundraiser,” said Mike Zimmer, Executive Director.

Entry costs $25 per person and includes two rounds of shooting, adding up to 50 targets, and includes a free lunch. People will shoot in teams of two to compete to win prizes alongside door prizes and raffle winnings from tickets that have been sold all summer.

“All proceeds go to day-to-day operations of the shelter,” said Zimmer.

This includes keeping the shelter itself up and running, which has the ability to house 15 men a night, purchasing hotel vouchers for those it cannot help and house, bus and train tickets to help those who are in need of getting out or to family, and to keep their bus running.

The Men’s Winter Refuge’s bus runs on Wednesdays to help transport people to the food pantry. According to Zimmer, they help between 75 and 100 people a month.

The Shoot for Shelter fundraiser is held at the Minot Gun Club. Volunteers of the Men’s Winter Refuge are also involved with the Gun Club, a connection that helped to create this new annual event.

“I’m very happy to have a partnership with them,” said Zimmer.

The first year the event was fairly successful with a 25 person turn-out on the quick planned fundraiser. For the second year, Zimmer hopes for a larger turn-out to help raise money for the cause.

“We’re just really excited to have this event,” he explained. “It’s a good event to help let people know about our organization and all we do.”