Food bank saw significant increase in distribution in 2020
Boxes of food sit outside North Valley Food Bank waiting to be distributed. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot file)
North Valley Food Bank distributed roughly 10,000 more total weekly grocery boxes to customers in 2020 than the year before.
The food bank gave out 28,200 weekly grocery services at its pantry in Whitefish and through mobile pastries in Essex, Evergreen, Olney and Trego.
In 2019, there were 17,920 grocery services provided and in 2018, there were 14,244 services provided.
MaryBeth Morand, Director of Development for the food bank, says the food bank is thankful for the donations received this year and the hard work of the volunteers.
“Although it has been a challenging year, we now know that this community can step up to a massive challenge,” she said. “Because of the ‘time, treasure and talent’ our community has shared, North Valley Food Bank is prepared to give more people more food in the winter months ahead.”
The holidays are a particularly busy time for the food bank, and 440 families received holiday meals plus weekly groceries during the last week of December.
The food bank also received more donations during the recent holiday season than ever before and all of its volunteer shifts were filled quickly.