Food bank's beloved program director retiring

John Emerson is the kind of guy who instinctively seems to know what everyone else needs, even before they may realize they need it.

That ability, plus an impeccable work ethic and generous helpings of kindness and humility make Emerson all but indispensable at the Flathead Food Bank. It’s no wonder the staff is lamenting Emerson’s departure at the end of the week.

Emerson has been the food bank’s program director for a decade. At 70, he said it’s time to “do some stuff I’d like to do while I still can.”

Although he won’t be on staff at the food bank, he’s very sure he’ll still volunteer for the organization he’s grown to love.

“Once in a while I can come back and volunteer,” he said, adding that he may be back as early as next week. A person can’t just quit cold turkey, he said.

It’s that kind of dedication that prompted Food Bank director Lori Botkin to hire Emerson 10 years ago.

“I call him ‘our perfect man,’” she gushed. “He’s humble and he’s kind and he helps people.”

And, noted Botkin, he’s the only person she has hired during her 30 years in management who has suggested he might be overpaid.

“He’s the first person who has ever said to me, ‘I think you’re paying me too much,’ and he was serious!” Botkin exclaimed.

Emerson heads the distribution program that delivers food through the federal government’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program to 740 seniors in the Flathead Valley once a month. Another 150 seniors come to the food bank to pick up their monthly allotment of commodities.

He delivers commodities to another 10 seniors when he takes the mobile food pantry bus to the Canyon communities and Kila and Marion. The bus trips, plus stocking the bus with food, is another of Emerson’s duties.

“When I started I just had Marion, then it evolved to include Martin City,” he recalled. “Then she (Botkin) let me get a bus. That worked out awesome.”

Emerson drives the mobile food pantry to the Canyon communities of Hungry Horse, Martin City and Coram on the first and third Wednesdays, and is in Kila and Marion the second and fourth Wednesdays.

While he’s in those outlying communities, he figures out what other resources residents may need, and connects them with the appropriate agencies, such as the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

Emerson also is in charge of the food bank’s backpack program that delivers enough food for the weekend to students who otherwise may go hungry.

“He goes out of his way to make sure children have food,” Flathead Food Bank project assistant Anjo Burns said, explaining how Emerson works with teachers at area schools to determine at-risk students.

Emerson, who grew up in Bozeman and relocated with his wife, Sonja, to the Flathead in 2004, applied for the program director job after a 28-year career as a UPS driver.

“I was fully retired for one year and I couldn’t stand it,” he said. “I saw the food bank was looking for someone so I came and talked to Lori.”

He immediately liked the variety of tasks and the flexibility the job offered.

“We meet people for a reason,” he said. “I have no idea where I’d be if I hadn’t come here.”

There’s a lot of satisfaction in knowing you have prevented someone from going hungry. “I sleep good at night,” he added.

One time he likely saved a woman’s life while delivering commodities. She was lying on the living room floor and needed medical help. Emerson was in the right spot at the right time.

Beyond the job, the staff at the Flathead Food Bank is a big part of what has kept him coming back day after day.

“These people are just fantastic,” he said. “They’re more than a family. If you need a hug or a shoulder to cry on, we all reach out.”

The admiration is mutual.

Office manager Sherry Schauble marvels at Emerson’s ability to “do it all.”

He’s got a heart so big and so caring, you ask and he’s there,” Schauble said. “He’s a great friend and co-worker. He’d give you the shirt off his back.”

Emerson leaves big shoes to fill, and they won’t be filled right away, Botkin said.

“Number one, he’s irreplaceable,” she insisted. The staff will cover his duties “until we find the exact right person.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.