How We Help
Our mission is to provide, within our means, high quality food distributed as temporary, emergency assistance to members of the Bigfork community and surrounding areas whose income falls below the 200% poverty level as defined by the U.S. government.
We seek to:
– Serve individuals and families with dignity, compassion, respect and kindness.
– Maintain open hearts, without judgment.
– Provide a joyful, safe workplace for all who contribute their time and efforts in supporting our mission.
– Show, with grateful hearts, our appreciation to all those who support the Bigfork Food Bank with their donations of food and monetary gifts.
Acquisition
The Bigfork Food Bank acquires food in several ways; purchases from local grocery stores; grocery rescue from local stores; purchases of food and donated food from the Montana Food Bank Network; and donations from local residents, including churches, businesses and individuals. Other food banks in the Flathead Valley also share surplus food donated by supermarkets in Kalispell.
Food
Twice each month, eligible clients are invited to select from a wide variety of available foodstuffs, including staples such as rice, flour, sugar, eggs, milk, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, meat and bread. Fresh produce is always available. We always strive to provide healthy choices for individuals and families coming to shop at the Bigfork Food Bank.
Wood
Twice each month in the winter months, clients may receive a moderate amount of wood for assistance with home heating. All wood is donated, and all labor is volunteered. We salute Toni and Pete for all their hard work, The Bigfork food bank on the only food bank in Montana that provides wood to the community.
Schools
The Bigfork Food Bank works closely with local schools to provide healthy snacks for students throughout the day.
Bigfork Elementary, Middle, and High School, Swan River School, and Fairmont Egan School are provided with a variety of healthy snacks, including fruits, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, carrots, pretzels and a variety of other options to share with students, as needed. The Bigfork Food Bank also warehouses the School Backpack Program sponsored by the Bigfork Rotary Club.
Other Organizations
The Bigfork Food Bank shares surplus perishable food with other local and regional organizations, including other Food Banks in the Flathead Valley, ACES (Bigfork after-school care program), Triple D Wildlife, Lighthouse Group Home, the Veterans Food Pantry, the Salvation Army, and other organizations as needs arise if we have an abundance of perishable items.
