Food bank thanks the community

It's a great way to shop and donate at the same time for North Valley Food Bank. Safeway had a volunteer food gathering with live music, while Super 1 Foods has their yearly 'sack sale" of groceries (turkeys and hams also) for your purchase at the checkout stands.

The food bank has daily pick-up of goods at both groceries. We have collected more than 200 bags, and the project at Super 1 continues through the holidays.

With the schools, churches, organizations, businesses and individuals all participating, North Valley Food Bank was able to help 687 families, which included 47 homebound the month of November, with food in addition to supplying perishable surplus food to four other agencies in need.

We can't thank the Whitefish Community Foundation enough for assistance with donations from the following funds: Big Mountain, Carol and Richard Atkinson, Fairview, Strickler Family, Tom and Teresa Quinn and John Kramer. With added thanks to the Armstrong Family Foundation for their continuing support.

Thanks also to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the donated wild game and fish and all the hard work the special meat crew put in on processing.

And what about the Town Pump Matching Fund? Up to $5,000 this year in October and November — we made it.

We got a surprise visit just before Thanksgiving when a Western Building Center truck pulled up and unloaded 760 pounds of canned goods.

Thanks to all of you we have not mentioned, we appreciate your continued support.

Even though we love our present facility, there are limitations we must work with, and plans are in progress for a new site.

Remember — Christmas baskets will be given out starting at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 22. You may call 862-5863 or 862-2795 with any questions. Donations are always needed and much appreciated.

May you all have a safe and happy holiday season.

June Feenan-Munski is the executive director of North Valley Food Bank.