State of Montana Newsroom
Governor and First Lady Gianforte Volunteer at Helena Food Share
Encourages support for Montana food banks
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte today joined staff and volunteers at Helena Food Share to help assemble meal packs distributed weekly to students and to encourage all Montanans to support their local food bank this holiday season.
“Helena Food Share and local food banks are fulfilling a critical need in our communities year-round and especially during the holiday season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This Thanksgiving, I encourage Montanans to give what they can, including the gift of their time, to help neighbors in need.”
Gov. Gianforte volunteering at Helena Food Share
Helena Food Share was founded in 1987 and provides emergency food to over 1,500 Montanans each month. Through its “Kid Pack” program, the food share also serves more than 1,100 elementary school students each week, providing them with weekend nutrition bundles that are distributed in Helena, East Helena, Boulder, Basin, Canyon Creek, Augusta, and Lincoln.
During his visit, the governor helped pack the bags that are set to be distributed next week and heard of the organization’s annual turkey drive. Each holiday season, Helena Food Share hosts the Turkey Challenge to ensure every family in the community has a meal on their table at Thanksgiving. This year’s drive resulted in meals benefiting over 3,200 families.
“Our volunteers and donors are the heart of Helena Food Share,” said Helena Food Share Executive Director Jordan Evertz. “With the holiday season here, the need for nutritious food for many families and students is even greater. Donations and each volunteer make a real difference in our community.”
This holiday season, Helena Food Share is collecting the following items: canned pumpkin, yams, fruits or vegetables, evaporated milk, stuffing, broth, gravy, Jello, pudding, flour, sugar, frozen turkey breast, frozen turkey, or ham.
For more information about Helena Food Share and ways to help, visit helenafoodshare.org.
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