News you can use
News you can use
Press release
Brenda Friede of Havre, Amelia Funk of Chinook and the community of Blaine County were among Montana residents and organizations recently recognized fort their work by the Montana Food Bank Network.
The Food Security Council of the Montana Food Bank Network, which works to improve long term food security and reduce hunger in Montana,announced its recognition of individuals and organizations who have truly made a difference in the fight against hunger in Montana.
First Lady Lisa Bullock presented the awards at a ceremony April 12 in Helena.
Awards were given to the following:
Treasure State Award: For the Most Treasured Volunteer
Amelia Funk, Chinook Food Pantry, Chinook
Amelia has been involved with the Chinook Food Pantry since its beginnings in 1998 and served as its Executive Director until the end of 2015. Amelia encourages new ideas and finds creative ways to raise funds and seek volunteers. She is a caring friend to each client, treating everyone with dignity and concern. She will always be the face of the Chinook Food Pantry.
Big Sky Award: For Business of the Year
Gary & Leo’s IGA (Jamie Byrnes and Brenda Friede), Conrad and Havre
Both the Pondera Food Pantry and Havre Food Bank expressed support for the Gary & Leo’s IGA in their communities. Jamie and the team at the Conrad location provided over 11,000 pounds of donated food through the grocery rescue program in 2016, while also extending discounts and helping the food pantry to find the lowest prices. Brenda and the team at the Havre location have been instrumental in raising funds for holiday baskets, while also conducting food drives and donating food through the grocery rescue program. They’ve even donated shelving and coolers to the Havre Food Bank, never turning down a request.
Lewis and Clark Award: For Discovering Ways to Fight Hunger
The Community of Blaine County
Blaine County has a relatively small population and is in the bottom third in median household income, yet the community consistently supports the Chinook Pantry with food and funds. Hunters regularly donate wild game, and food drives are conducted by churches, youth groups, the volunteer fire and EMS department, and area residents. Local ranchers donate large quantities of beef and the 4-H donate birthday bags for the children of Pantry clients. While this type of involvement is not unique to Blaine County, it is more than commendable for the size and economic status of the county itself.
Gates of the Mountain: For Opening the Gates to End Hunger
Montana OPI School Nutrition Team, Helena
The Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition team, led by Christine Emerson, is dedicated to ensuring that all of Montana’s school children have access to quality, nutritious meals while they are at school and over the summer. As a result of their exceptional efforts, Montana has one of the highest rates of participation in the Community Eligibility Provision in the nation, and has been looked to as an example of successful implementation.
Glacier Award: For Moving Mountains to End Hunger
Jill Holder, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Bozeman
Jill Holder, Operations Manager at Gallatin Valley Food Bank, works to ensure that individuals in her community have access to affordable, nutritious food. She is constantly building partnerships to maintain the quality and quantity of supplies on the Food Bank shelves, and recently piloted new distribution locations in Belgrade, helping reach more people in the community.
Amber Waves of Grain Award: For Promoting Local Healthy Food
Garden City Harvest, Missoula
Garden City Harvest has created consistent and sustainable access to nutritious food by establishing the Community Gardens Program in Missoula. They are also involved in Farm to School, summer camps, neighborhood farms, youth development, and offer CSA subscriptions. They donate fresh produce to the Missoula WIC program, the Poverello Center homeless shelter, the Missoula Food Bank, Youth Homes and may other agencies around Missoula.
——
The Food Security Council is a council of the Montana Food Bank Network. The council works to improve long term food security and reduce hunger in Montana. HYPERLINK “http://mfbn.org/learn/public-policy/food-security-council” http://mfbn.org/learn/public-policy/food-security-council
The Montana Food Bank Network, located at 5625 Expressway in Missoula, secures and distributes donated and low cost food to nearly 150 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana. The Network works to meet the immediate need for food while advocating at the local, state, and national level for policy changes to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity in Montana. The Montana Food Bank Network is a member of Feeding America. For more information about the Montana Food Bank Network please visit HYPERLINK “http://www.mfbn.org” http://www.mfbn.org.
Reader Comments(0)