Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Volunteer at Veterans Food Pantry for 11th Day of Giving

The governor packs donated food items for veterans and their families.

Watch the day 11 video here.

Providing support to homeless, low-income, and at-risk veterans and their families, North West Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry has served veterans in Montana for over 21 years. Since its founding, the organization has served over 2,500 veteran households, representing over 6,100 individuals.

Food banks in Montana and nationwide have experienced increased demand throughout the pandemic. 

Recently, demand and costs at food banks in Montana and nationwide have spiked with inflation and supply chain shortages driving up the cost of food. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of groceries has increased 6.4% in the last 12 months, including bacon up 21.0%, beef up 20.9%, eggs up 8.0%, chicken up 9.2%, baby food up 6.7%, milk up 4.6%, and canned fruit and vegetables up 4.2%. 

Running through mid-December, the governor’s 12 Days of Giving campaign will highlight the work of a dozen organizations serving Montanans in need. 

• On the 1^st Day of Giving, the governor established a One Warm Coat drive at the State Capitol to help ensure no Montanan goes cold this winter. 
• On the 2^nd Day of Giving, the governor launched a canned food drive competition among state agencies and encouraged Montanans to consider giving to the Montana Food Bank Network or their local food bank. 
• On the 3^rd Day of Giving, the governor visited the Great Falls Rescue Mission to meet with and help distribute donated boots to shelter guests. 
• On the 4^th Day of Giving, the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the cabinet donated toys to the Helena area Toys for Tots.
• On the 5^th Day of Giving, public health leaders and the governor encouraged Montanans to help address the nationwide blood shortage and become a blood donor through the American Red Cross of Montana. 
• On the 6^th Day of Giving, the governor volunteered at the Livingston Food Resource Center and contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to the organization. 
• On the 7^th Day of Giving, the first lady visited the Human Resource Development Council’s Warming Center to sort and organize donated items for residents and tour its Housing First Village. 
• On the 8^th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged Montanans to donate new or gently used books to Hopa Mountain’s StoryMakers Holiday Children’s Book Drive. 
• On the 9th Day of Giving, the governor and first lady decorated gingerbread houses with young Montanans at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. 
• On the 10^th Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to the Denton Fire Relief Fund to support the community of Denton in the wake of the West Wind Fire.  
• On the 11^th Day of Giving, the governor and first lady volunteered at the North West Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry.  

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