Governor Gianforte Encourages Montanans To Support Food Banks on Second Day of Giving

Launches third annual state agency food drive competition

• November 29 2023

HELENA, Mont. – Celebrating the second day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Gianforte today announced the third annual state agency food drive competition benefiting the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN).

“Working together, we can help end hunger in Montana,” Governor Gianforte said. “To support our neighbors facing food insecurity, we’re grateful to bring back our state agency food drive competition. I encourage Montanans to join us by volunteering or donating to a food bank near them.”

Gov. Gianforte and volunteers helping provide holiday meals to families with Helena Food Share, a MFBN partner

The interagency food drive will run through December 13. Last year, state employees donated over 2,500 pounds of food, with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services winning the competition.

Since 1983, MFBN has been the state’s only statewide food bank working with a network of over 340 community partners to help feed fellow Montanans. In 2022, MFBN distributed 16.7 million pounds of food throughout Montana’s 56 counties.

“This year has been particularly challenging for many Montana families,” said Gayle Carlson, President and CEO of the Montana Food Bank Network. “Food insecure households, especially our rural neighbors, struggle to afford nutritious food, relying on public assistance programs, food banks, and pantries to help them get through the month.”

Carlson continued, “But there is something you can do to help make their lives a bit more joyous during this holiday season: volunteer, hold a community food drive, donate to your local pantry or the Montana Food Bank Network.”

According to the Montana Food Bank Network, a $1 donation helps provide at least 5 meals for Montanans in need.

The network’s most needed food items include canned tuna or meat, peanut butter, canned soup, canned or dry beans, canned vegetables, dry cereal, baby food and formula, tomato sauce, cooking oil, low-fat salad dressings, canned chili, oatmeal, pasta, flour, sugar, whole-grain items, gluten-free items, and low sodium/low sugar items.

For more information on how to help end hunger in Montana, Montanans can visit mfbn.org.

• On the 1st Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Kalispell.
• On the 2nd Day of Giving, the governor launched the third annual food drive among state agencies and encouraged Montanans to give to the Montana Food Bank Network or their local food bank.

###