Lend a hand to ‘Feed the Need’

Feed the Need, a benefit concert to help offset food costs this winter for the Flathead Food Bank and Samaritan House, will feature live music by Local musician Tommy Edwards and Jack Rogan, who both appeared on season 21 of NBC’s hit television show “The Voice.” The concert will take place Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Jewel Basin Center in Bigfork.

With colder weather waiting in the wings, and inflation looming large, the Flathead Food Bank and Samaritan House face significant challenges this season. At the center is an anticipated increase of as much as 40% in food costs, complicated by a swelling number of area residents experiencing food insecurity.

While data is still being recorded and compiled over two years after the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020, economic uncertainty drastically increased food insecurity in our community and around the world. Demand for the Flathead Food Bank’s services skyrocketed almost simultaneously with unemployment and food insecurity rates. The Flathead Food Bank served over 78,000 individuals and distributed over 3,400,000 pounds of food in 2020, more than double that distributed in 2019. Since the pandemic, thousands of children, families and seniors still struggle with food insecurity and its unforeseen consequences. Inflation, unemployment, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive housing market threaten the food security of our neighbors here in the Flathead Valley.

Samaritan House is a nonprofit working to end homelessness in the Flathead Valley. The shelter provides clients with accessibility to case management, nutritional meals and clothing/hygiene materials, while encouraging their efforts to find employment and housing. Its caring staff believes that having a supportive environment leads to stable outcomes.

Admission to the concert will be “Pay what you can” and attendees are encouraged to donate at the door. A generous match provided by community member, Lucy Smith, will double whatever is raised at the door up to $10,000.

Feed the Need is presented by title sponsor Big Sky Public Relations, along with lead sponsor Leon Holdings. All expenses for the event will be covered by the title sponsorship, ensuring that every dollar raised through Feed the Need will go provide meals this winter through the Flathead Food Bank and Samaritan House.

“The Flathead is an exceptional community because we take care of our own,” said executive director of the Flathead Food Bank, Jamie Quinn. “I can’t wait to see the Jewel Basin Center filled on Oct. 13 with friends and neighbors who care — those who will help us ensure no one in our community has to go hungry this winter.”

During the Oct. 13 concert, there will be a full bar and food trucks on site. Carpooling is recommended. Limited seating will be available, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. Donations may be provided via cash, check, Venmo or Paypal. If you cannot attend but wish to donate toward the match, donations may be made in advance online at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RCVDMRXSFSAV6 or via Venmo (@FlatheadFoodBank). Make note that donations are for Feed the Need.

RSVPs via the Facebook event are encouraged. The Jewel Basin Center is located at 218 Sportsman Lane in Bigfork.