Community briefs
Lions Club ornament fundraiser
The Kalispell Lions Club’s fifth annual Christmas ornament fundraiser will begin Friday, Nov. 11. This year’s keepsake ornament features another special painting by well known local artist and teacher Karen Leigh. The ornament features Leigh’s painting of the Conrad Mansion in a limited edition of 300.
Sale hours for all dates are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of each ornament is $10. Later sales dates may be canceled if the ornaments are sold out.
Kalispell sale locations and dates:
Rosauers — Nov. 18 and 19; and Nov. 25 and 26
Snappy’s — Dec. 2 and 3; and Dec. 16 and 17
Murdoch's — Dec. 9 and 10
Webinar talks about senior living
Prestige Senior Living invites the local community to attend a free webinar presented by Emily Schwartz of Elderlife Financial Services, titled “Finances and Senior Living: Making a Plan,” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The webinar will cover what information families should gather regarding the financial needs of those looking at senior living, along with insight into VA Aid and Attendance benefits and more.
Attendees will leave with an understanding of various topics that need to be discussed openly with their loved ones including wills and inheritances, how much they have available to pay for senior living and more.
To RSVP for this free webinar, visit prestigecanhelp.com.
Food bank donations
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has selected 100 food banks, food pantries, rescue missions, homeless shelters and Salvation Army organizations across Montana to receive a combined $350,000 in additional grant funds to aid them in helping Montana’s most vulnerable citizens. The Foundation’s Holiday Giving Program is in addition to other grants that are awarded annually to these basic needs organizations and is intended to provide the resources they need to ensure that individuals and families have nutritious food during the holiday season.
“Virtually all basic needs organizations continue to struggle to meet the growing demand for their services, and these additional funds will hopefully help address shortages of food, shelter, clothing and other basic needs,” Foundation executive director Mike Halligan said. “Our goal with this donation is to get badly needed resources into the hands of the staff and volunteers of these critically important organizations, especially now with the winter months approaching.”
In Montana, one in 10 people struggle with hunger and one in six Montana children live in homes that face food insecurity, putting them at risk of hunger. Good nutrition, particularly in the early years of life, is important for establishing a solid foundation that affects a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement and economic productivity.
The following area organizations and agencies are receiving funding from the Foundation’s Holiday Giving Program:
Flathead County: Bigfork Food Bank Inc., Columbia Falls Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Warming Center, Farm Hands - Nourish the Flathead, N.W. Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry
Lake County: Arlee CDC, Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry, Ronan Bread Basket Inc., Mission Valley Food Pantry
Lincoln County: Tobacco Valley Food Pantry, Libby Food Pantry, Remnant Church - Yaak Food Cupboard, Troy Food Pantry, Senior Citizens of Lincoln County, Inc., Tobacco Valley Senior Citizens, Troy Community Baptist Church Food Pantry