Food bank seeks donations, sets holiday distribution days

The North Valley Food Bank is looking for donations, particularly of hams and yams, ahead of the Christmas holiday season.

The food bank distributed turkeys, fixings and a week of groceries to about 390 households during the last week of November. Now, the food bank is preparing for its food distribution for the holidays at the end of December.

The food bank has a number of turkeys left in its freezers due to donations of turkeys from Kalispell Auto Group and Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

For the December holidays, the food bank wants to give families the option of a turkey or a ham, and thus is seeking donations of hams and yams prior to the food distribution week of Dec. 21.

North Valley Food Bank is open to accept perishable donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 251 Flathead Avenue in Whitefish. Non-perishable donations can be left in the drop box by the front door of the food bank at any time. For a large food donation to be picked-up, contact Lauren Jarrold, Director of Operations, at lauren@northvalleyfoodbank.org.

Food distribution leading up to Christmas will take place in the following locations.

North Valley Food Bank’s drive-thru distribution will be on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23 from noon to 6 p.m. The senior citizens home delivery program will distribute food on Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Trego mobile pantry will be at the The Trego Civic Center on Friday, Dec. 18 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Olney mobile pantry will be at the Olney Store on Friday, Dec. 18 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The Essex mobile pantry will be at The Izzak Walton Inn on Monday, Dec. 21 from 1 - 1:30 p.m.

The Evergreen mobile pantry will be at the Evergreen Junior High on Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 10:30-11 a.m.

Food distribution leading up to New Years Day will take place in the following locations.

North Valley Food Bank’s drive-thru distribution is Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 31 from noon to 6 p.m.

The senior citizens home delivery program is Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Trego mobile pantry is at The Trego Civic Center on Thursday, Dec. 31 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Olney mobile pantry is at the Olney Store on Thursday, Dec. 31 from noon to 12:30 pm.

For more information on services or to make a donation, visit www.northvalleyfoodbank.org.