Food Bank meat processor for state program
Mark Schmidt processes meat Friday morning at North Valley Food Bank while other volunteers work doing the same. The meat will be distributed to the food bank’s clients in the form of roasts and hamburger. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
North Valley Food Bank is partnering with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Montana Food Bank Network to process and distribute meat.
The Whitefish food bank has for years been processing meat including wild game, and recently were offered an opportunity to get paid for their efforts.
“It’s an exciting partnership — not only are we continuing to process and distribute healthy and sustainably harvested meat, we will now receive funds from Hunters Against Hunger to do so,” said Jessy Lee, North Valley Food Bank’s Executive Director.
The Hunters Against Hunger program was designed as a way for hunters purchasing licenses to donate directly to agencies fighting food insecurity in Montana. Hunters can donate $1 or more when buying a license, which in turn is used to pay meat processing facilities to process donated game.
Tagged game animals can be donated to meat processors across the state, who process and distribute the meat to pantries in their area. Montana Food Bank Network, the agency that manages the funds, approached North Valley Food Bank this summer about being a designated processor for the Flathead Valley.
“They were having a tough time finding a meat processor in the area who had the time to participate in the program,” Lee said. “It was a natural fit for North Valley Food Bank, as we check both the meat processing and the food security boxes. We won’t change what we do; we will just be receiving a sustainable funding stream now.”
Hunters who a tagged animal to donate to North Valley Food Bank, should call 862-5863 to schedule drop-off time. The food bank is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. They prefer field dressed and skinned animals, but accept whole animals, if necessary.
To volunteer with the food bank’s butcher team, contact Kristie Lukes at warehousemanager@northvalleyfoodbank.org or call the food bank. For more information, visit www.northvalleyfoodbank.org.
Celebrates founder with building dedication
North Valley Food Bank is celebrating its fifth year in its new facility with a building dedication to honor food bank founder June Munski-Feenan.
The ceremony is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. at the food bank.
Munski-Feenan started Whitefish’s food bank in 1977 out of her garage.
Long-time donors Jo-Ann and Jim Armstrong purchased a bronze plaque for the building dedication.
“There was nothing self-serving about June, and we could see how selflessly she promoted the interests of her organization,” they said.