North Valley Food Bank plans Forever June celebration

This June, North Valley Food Bank celebrates the legacy of founder June Munski-Feenan with a food drive, a fundraiser and an open house.

June was born on June 23, 1927, and grew up on her family farm in Columbia Falls. In 1977, she and her friends started to provide breads, fresh produce and limited amounts of canned goods to community members in need. Her efforts later blossomed into her founding North Valley Food Bank. The food bank started in June’s garage, later moved to Lupfer Avenue and finally found its home at 251 Flathead Ave.

This year, North Valley Food Bank is expanding its building to meet the ever-increasing needs for food assistance in the northern Flathead. Currently, the food bank moves more than 100,000 pounds of food monthly through its building. That is three times the amount of food compared to only two years ago. North Valley Food Bank believes the best way to honor June is with the following Forever June celebrations:

• June 12 to 26, Food Drive — For many families summer is a time of uncertainty. While school is out, parents struggle to ensure a filled fridge for their kids. You can help see that kids have healthy summer foods by donating applesauce, shelf-stable soups, trail mix, canned meat, seafood, olives, fruits and vegetables, honey, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, grains, dried herbs and spices, beans and snack items. Donation bins can be found at North Valley Food Bank, The Wave, Third Street Market, Safeway, Super 1 and Markus Foods. People can also sponsor a family’s weekly groceries through donations on the food bank’s website, northvalleyfoodbank.org.

• June 12, Global Wellness Day — The Wave will host a free Zumba class open to the public at 10;15 a.m. to encourage everyone to support a healthy community.

• June 23, Paint a Tile Fundraiser — Donate to the food bank’s capital campaign fundraiser and help decorate the foyer of the remodeled building with hand-painted tiles in memory of June at Stumptown Art Studio on June’s birthday, June 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be blank tiles available for those who have donated to the capital campaign. Make a donation of $50 or more online and paint a tile.

• June 26, Open house — The highlight of the Forever June celebrations will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. North Valley Food Bank staff will share updates and host tours of the building.

For more information, visit www.northvalleyfoodbank.org, call 406-862-5863, or email admin@northvalleyfoodbank.org