Food bank asking for hams, other holiday foods
Boxes of food sit outside North Valley Food Bank waiting to be distributed. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
North Valley Food Bank is putting out an urgent call seeking donations for hams and other foods for Christmas dinners for those in need.
The food bank is anticipating another challenging holiday season for many in the community with rising food and fuel prices along with the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The food bank is especially in need of hams but is also asking the community to donate butter, crescent rolls, fresh potatoes and yams, olive oil, stuffing, gravy mix, canned corn, cornbread mix, pie filling, boxed pie crust, oats, flour, sugar, canned yams, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, salt, pepper, dehydrated potatoes and other holiday favorites.
Last month 124,460 pounds of food passed through the food bank facility, which is 37,000 pounds more than their monthly average for 2020. In addition, the food bank recently served more than 800 individuals in a single week — the highest number of customers in their 45-year history.
“We are deeply grateful for everyone who has already given abundantly this holiday season,” said Sophie Albert, executive director of the food bank. “We’re reaching out once again so that all of our neighbors have a full and festive plate this Christmas. We are especially in need of hams and would like to collect an additional 70 hams by Monday, Dec. 20.”
Perishable items must be donated during the food bank’s hours of operations on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Non-perishable items can be donated at any time at the donation station on the front porch.
Those looking to volunteer at the food bank can sign up by visiting www.northvalleyfoodbank.org and or contact Volunteer Coordinator Anya Brown at anya@northvalleyfoodbank.org.
Christmas food distribution will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 23, from noon to 6 pm, drive thru only. In addition to holiday food, all customers will receive a supply of groceries. The grocery store will reopen for shopping the week after Christmas. The food bank will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 27.
North Valley Food Bank is located at 251 Flathead Avenue in Whitefish.
Contact Lauren Jarrold, Director of Operations, lauren@northvalleyfoodbank.org or 406-862-5863 (press 2) for more information about Christmas needs at the food bank.