North Valley Food Bank plans food drive, fundraiser

North Valley Food Bank is starting the year off with several fundraising events and a food drive.

• Feb. 5 to Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day themed Feed Love food drive. The food bank is asking for donations of soups, stews, pastas, baking supplies and other ingredients that will help people thrive in the cold weather. Food donations can be dropped off in the bins outside the food bank at 251 Flathead Ave. in Whitefish, or in donation bins at participating businesses in Whitefish. Look for the Feed Love postcards. North Valley Food Bank also is inviting people to sponsor a family’s weekly groceries through donations on the food bank’s website, northvalleyfoodbank.org.

• Feb. 27 — Whitefish Mountain Resort is hosting a “Lift-Up Against Hunger” fundraiser. The resort will match donations made at point of sale for lift tickets, retail, ski school, rental shops, and food and beverages on that date.

The North Valley Food Bank building moved over 500,000 pounds of food last year and supported smaller food pantries all over the northern Flathead Valley with fresh food and non-perishables. At the end of February, North Valley Food Bank will initiate the public phase of a capital campaign to expand the food bank to accommodate increased refrigeration and freezer space in order to move more food all over the valley.