Community events: Dessert contest coming up

Dessert contest

Are you up for the challenge?  The Columbia Falls Historical Society invites you to the Fall Dessert Challenge, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the ‘Chapel’ at the Montana Veteran’s Home.  If you like to cook, bring your favorite dessert, if you like to eat dessert, come and be one of the judges.

Come on out for a fun evening, and learn more about early Columbia Falls.  The audience are the judges for the desserts, there will be five categories; Chocolate, Huckleberry, Gluten Free, under age 12, and Other.  Prizes will be awarded.

Call or text your name to 406-270-1806, to sign up your dessert.  Free admission. Donations for the Historical Society will be accepted.

For more information or questions please call 406-270-1806.

Women meet

Columbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Columbia Falls. Special feature is the locally-owned 406 Soap and Candle Co.  And keynote speaker, retired nurse and teacher, Terry Thompson from Missoula will share her inspirational story. Donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries will be collected for The Veteran’s Food Pantry.  Cost is $10 and all women are welcome to attend. For reservations call Janet at 406-892-3621 or email cfwomensconnection@yahoo.com by 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.  Please honor or cancel reservations.  Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries. 

Backpack grants

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is accepting grant applications for the 2024 “Meals for Backpacks” program, which supports schools, food banks, and service organizations that provide weekend meal programs for Montana school children. 

“It is 65 hours from the time school is dismissed on Friday afternoon until the bell rings on Monday morning,” the Foundation says on its website. “Often, children in Montana go hungry on the weekends. It is estimated that one in six Montana children live in homes that struggle to keep food on the table.”  

Organizations can apply for the grants at www.townpumpfoundation.com/backpacks through Sept. 29. Grants will be awarded in mid-October.  

The Foundation’s goal this year is to fund over 100,000 weekend meal bags through $650,000 in grants, said Bill McGladdery, director of corporate communications for Town Pump. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000. Most weekend backpacks include two breakfasts, two lunches, and a snack that replaces the meals children would receive at school. 

Research shows that healthy, well-nourished children learn better, are more likely to attend school and take advantage of educational opportunities, McGladdery said.