EDITORIAL: Local food banks need your help

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, but there’s still plenty of time to help feed the Flathead by donating to local food banks.

The Flathead Food Bank is experiencing growing pains, with 713 more individuals and 625 more households being helped than last year. Even though the economy is on the mend here, many residents are still recovering from the recession or are underemployed and have a hard time making ends meet. We all know people who work two or three part-time jobs here in the valley just to survive.

We have a tradition of giving and helping our neighbors in the Flathead Valley. That generosity is perhaps most appreciated when it includes the basics of food, shelter and clothing. Consider dropping off a few extra groceries at the food pantry in your community sometime between now and Christmas. It will make someone’s holiday season a bit brighter.

The Wright stuff

We were relieved to learn late Thursday that the historic Frank Lloyd Wright building in downtown Whitefish has been spared from demolition.

Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis, who bought the building with plans to redevelop the site, said he will put the building up for sale because he doesn’t want to be perceived as an “evil developer.” Ruis said he had no idea the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He has invested $12 million in Columbia Falls redevelopment projects and has been welcomed with open arms in that community, so it’s understandable he wants his reputation kept intact.

Now it’s up to the citizens of Whitefish — or a philanthropist who appreciates the historic treasure — to find a way to purchase the Frank Lloyd Wright building and make sure it is preserved in perpetuity. Granted, it’s not the most unique or magnificent of Wright’s architectural wonders, but it’s been part of the Whitefish cityscape since 1959 and is one of the things that makes Whitefish the special place it is.

As a side note, when the Inter Lake broke the story this week of plans to demolish the historic building, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy suggested Whitefish — and any city with historic landmarks — consider establishing creating local landmark laws that protect these kinds of buildings. It’s something for our local governments to consider.