Montana Food Bank Network

By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian
The Montana Food Bank Network soon will have more room for food.

At its headquarters on Expressway in Missoula, the nonprofit - which helps feed hungry people statewide - kicked off a $1.4 million expansion Saturday that will more than double the size of its office and warehouse.

The network needs the extra space because right now, it has to turn down donations of food for lack of room, said development director Mark Brennan. And saying no to food goes against the organization's mission.

"(It) drives us crazy," Brennan said.

Executive director Peggy Grimes thanked U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., for a federal appropriation that gave the planned construction and remodel a shot in the arm.

Rehberg, Missoula Mayor John Engen and Missoula County Commissioner Larry Anderson each publicly praised the Food Bank Network, and other community members also offered kind words for the 24-year-old organization.

Brenda Patterson, who works full-time at a local nonprofit, said the Montana Food Bank Network has helped her feed her two little girls when higher power bills or the need for winter clothes strained a paycheck.

"When you don't think you have somebody, you turn around, and all of a sudden there's hope,"Patterson said.

She and her daughters, ages 4 and 5, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to lend support for an agency they themselves have leaned on a few times. She wants to teach her daughters to help others when they can and accept help when they need it, too.

"Thank you for being here. Thank you, thank you,"Patterson said.

When the summer's wildfires put people in Seeley Lake temporarily out of work, the Food Bank Network sent extra food to the area, said John Mandler, president of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' local chapter, which sponsors charitable activities.

"This is a needed organization," Mandler said.

Members of the Exchange Club, which advocates the prevention of child abuse, arrived to help set up and tear down. Rolf Tandberg, who serves in various capacities with the club, said one way to prevent abuse is to make sure families have enough to eat.

"It takes one worry away," he said.

The Montana Food Bank Network typically provides food to Montana food banks and other charitable programs that directly serve needy families, children and seniors.

The need to help Montanans put food on their tables is great and only increasing, said Arlene Wickman, who had just returned to Missoula from a statewide meeting related to food banks.

"We're growing. It's sad, but at least people have a place to go," she said.

Wickman helps run City Food, which is open Saturdays and relies on the Food Bank Network for supplies.

Folks who work for the organization are also looking forward to improvements. Rob Shipley, who drives for the Network, said the changes will make a big difference in the work of filling a truck with food.

"Right now, it takes three people an hour and a half to load a truck," Shipley said. The construction will bring a loading dock to the warehouse, and that means one person will be able to load a truck in just 30 minutes.

"I'm really excited about it," Shipley said.

Construction takes place in three phases, and phase one is under way. That's the addition of nearly 17,000 square feet of warehouse space. The network needs another $200,000 to complete this part of the addition and remodel, Brennan said.

Money going to the Food Bank Network is a good investment, according to Rehberg. In just one year, the Republican congressman receives more than $800 million in requests from needy Montanans. He and his staff have to decide what gets the most return for the least amount of money, and he lauded the Montana Food Bank Network in this regard.

"It's nice to see something that's working in a community," Rehberg said.

Mayor Engen said the Montana Food Bank Network is contributing to the well-being of the greater community.

Engen, a former member of the Missoula Food Bank's board of directors, said half the clients at the Missoula Food Bank were people under the age of 18. According to the network, more than 20 percent of Montana's children live below official poverty levels.

"You can't build community on empty stomachs," Engen said.

Commissioner Anderson said unemployment rates are low in Missoula, but the cost of living keeps going up and people more and more need the Montana Food Bank Network.

"We appreciate the work you do," Anderson said.

You can help

The Montana Food Bank Network needs your help.

It's $200,000 shy of completing its first phase of construction and remodeling. To help, call 721-3825.