COLUMN: Help build a mountain of food

Summer should be a time of fun for children, not one of worrying whether there will be enough to eat.

Yet many families in the Flathead face food insecurities. Summertime brings its own challenges because many children do not have access to school lunch and breakfast programs. For many young people, no school means no meals. Statistically, one in five children in Montana is at risk for food insecurity.

According to Bob Helder of the Flathead Food Bank, more families are forced to make emergency food visits to the pantry in the summer to stretch their budgets — historically a season when donations are diminished for food pantries statewide, only worsening their ability to provide adequate food on a consistent basis to communities throughout Montana.

In response, the Flathead Food Bank is launching a 72-hour campaign to help keep its shelves stocked all summer long.

Help “Build a Mountain of Food” by shopping at your favorite grocery store from 5 p.m. Thursday, May 19, to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, and making donations of nonperishable food. Large food collection boxes will be in place at participating stores. All donations of any amount are appreciated.

Items most needed include canned soup, vegetables and tomatoes, beans and pasta, fruit and meat.

Drop off your donations at Super 1 in Evergreen and Kalispell or Smith’s, Walmart, Albertsons or Natural Grocers in Kalispell.

Last year, the Flathead Food Bank served 8,160 people in 3,633 households and gave away 1,506,000 pounds of food. Its Senior Commodities Program delivered 16,992 bags of food to 708 seniors. And the children’s BackPack Program served 18 schools and 463 children with 17,594 backpacks given out discreetly to at-risk children prior to weekends and holidays.

Flathead Food Bank is also grateful for financial and food donations (including nonperishable food, fresh garden produce and professionally processed meat) throughout the year. Bring your donations to the pantry at the south end of the Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Suite 2, Kalispell.

To find out about local Summer Food Programs for students, talk to the administrators or counselors at your children’s school or visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks and enter your ZIP code to learn of programs in your area.

And remember, when you plant your garden this spring, hoe an extra row for the food bank. Fresh produce is always welcome and appreciated.

Today, May 1, is one of four days during the year midway between an equinox and a solstice — in this case the spring equinox and summer solstice — Happy May Day!

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.