Forever June community celebration at the food bank

North Valley Food Bank (NVFB) will host its annual Forever June community celebration on Friday, June 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the food bank. In honor of NVFB’s late founder, June Munski-Feenan, the event is in appreciation of the numerous community members throughout northwest Montana that support the life-affirming work of providing nutritious food to families and individuals in need. June Munski-Feenan and her friends started the food bank out of June’s garage in the late 1970s. Since then, NVFB has experienced significant growth. With a 75% increase in overall pantry visits last year, the work of NVFB has never been more vital. The mission of NVFB is to build food security and strengthen communities.

Forever June is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by the generosity of Glacier Bank. It will feature food by the Good Taco, beer from Backslope Brewing and live music by Radio Ranch. Enjoy their tunes inspired by the cosmic American roots music of the late 60s. The event is family-friendly and will offer various kid’s activities and face painting. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, learn about volunteer opportunities and discover The Breakfast Club, an affordable and impactful monthly giving circle.

This year the food bank is hosting its first-ever Utensil Drive and encourages guests to bring a new kitchen utensil to donate. Items such as wooden spoons, spatulas, cutting boards, can openers and more will be gratefully accepted and passed along to our customers. Each item donated will qualify for a raffle ticket. Several generous local businesses that have donated raffle items include Vibe Wellness, Trovare, Book Works, Tailwaggers, Imagination Station, Sage & Cedar, Montana Shirt Company, Copperleaf Chocolat Company, and others. Bring a utensil and leave with a gift.

Your community spirit, goodwill and donated utensils will support NVFB's services during these extraordinary times of uncertainty and economic hardship for many of our neighbors. NVFB provides food assistance to more than 1,000 people weekly through its free choice-model grocery store, drive-thru distribution, mobile pantries and senior deliveries in the northern Flathead and neighboring communities. In addition, the food bank runs a rural delivery program to support sister pantries from the upper reaches of northwestern communities such as Troy, Libby and the Yaak, to the Blackfeet Nation east of the divide. More than 800 new families came to NVFB in 2022 and the food bank has already served approximately 360 first-time families in 2023, in addition to its repeat customers.

North Valley Food Bank is located at 251 Flathead Avenue in Whitefish. More information can be found at northvalleyfoodbank.org or on Facebook or Instagram.

Please contact Elizabeth Temple, Director of Development, elizabeth@northvalleyfoodbank.org or 406-862-5863 (Ext 1002) for more information about the Forever June community celebration.