In a nutshell: We are the ingredients for well-nourished communities

“Welcome and happy Thanksgiving. Would you like an entire turkey, a turkey breast, or a whole chicken? Would you like to add some kids' snacks to your Thanksgiving box?” It is Monday afternoon at the North Valley Food Bank and our Holiday Distribution is in full swing. Volunteers greet customers, pack boxes, help carry turkeys to cars, and restock coolers with fresh green beans, carrots, and celery. In the warehouse, the team sorts donations, packs kid snacks, and accepts wild game donations. 

I overhear two families sharing their favorite pie recipes in the line. One little girl’s choice is grandma’s pumpkin pie with a tiny bit of cinnamon. Another shares that she prefers a simple baked apple with honey. A taste of the holiday surrounds us despite the hardships that many in our community face this winter. 

Over the past two years, the North Valley Food Bank saw a 123% increase in the need for food assistance. Between January and October 2023, we have had a record number of 16,593 food bank visits and provided more than 467,292 meals to our neighbors. We serve more than 1,000 people weekly and expect this holiday season to be even busier!

While the height of the pandemic lies behind us, we are facing another public health crisis – the staggering rise of food insecurity in our community. A recent USDA study shows that one in eight Americans is food insecure. There is no reason for anyone to go hungry in our country, as we have resources for everyone. 

North Valley Food Bank is committed to addressing the root causes of hunger in our communities long-term. That said, we have learned first-hand how long the advocacy process can take and the challenges we face in enacting real, systemic change. While we urge our public officials to invest in anti-poverty programs, we can’t hit pause on the hunger experienced by our community. Many of our neighbors struggle to provide food for their families and their children may go to bed hungry. 

Food insecurity has long-lasting effects on a child’s health. If we don’t address it, one in eight will grow up with a chronic health problem, experience anxiety or depression, or struggle academically and professionally. 

The primary concern among the parents I meet at the North Valley Food Bank is ensuring their children are well-nourished. Many of our neighbors work multiple jobs to keep up with the steep cost of living in northwestern Montana and still can’t make ends meet. As a parent myself, I know that all of us want the same for our little ones: healthy meals, abundant holiday tables, a cozy bed, a safe home and a worry-free childhood!

No matter our customer’s situation, I meet the kindest people and observe mountains of gratitude every day. A loving grandma brings knitted hats for other customers and volunteers when she visits for her weekly shopping. A sweet nine-year-old calls us his second family and greets every team member with a hug while his mom shops. Last week, I witnessed two moms sharing the last pack of Cheerios with one another. Each one of them is a vital part of our close-knit community. Each should have access to wholesome and nutritious meals. Our wish for the holiday season is that all our neighbors have a full Thanksgiving table. 

Let’s celebrate this magical time of the year together and ensure that no one worries where their next meal comes from. One thousand teaspoons of dignity, 300 kind volunteers, 1 million pounds of food, 900 cups of community generosity and YOU are the key ingredients for healthy-thriving families in all our neighborhoods. Learn more about how to support your local food bank this holiday season at northvalleyfoodbank.org

Sophie Albert is the executive director of North Valley Food Bank. Albert provides insights into happenings at the food bank, rural food insecurity, stories of the community and more in the monthly Whitefish Pilot column titled, In a Nutshell.