Food Bank Helping to Battle Hunger

The Meagher County Nutrition Coalition and Food Distribution Center Is located at 101 Crawford Street West in White Sulphur Springs. The center is apart of the Montana Food Bank Network, which just happens to be Montana’s only statewide food bank. The network is apart of the national program of Feeding America. The Montana Food Bank Network’s mission is, of course, to end hunger in Montana through acquiring goods, then distributing them while also educating communities on the widespread issue. Through doing this, the charitable network hopes to work toward advocating and providing for those in need. The Montana Food Bank Network is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that is based out of Missoula. However, the organization provides and supports several types of programs elsewhere, such as the food pantry in White Sulphur Springs. According to the Montana Food Bank Network, out of 12 Montanans, an estimated one person and 24,800 kids will experience food insecurity. Food insecurity is the uncertainty and inability to acquire food steadily and, thus, resulting in loss of quality and nutrient dense food. In 2021, 150 people were considered food insecure in Meagher County. This indicates that 7.7% was the food insecurity rate in that year. In addition, the average meal cost in Meagher County in 2021 was $3.57. This expresses that a normal family of four, eating three meals each, spent $42.84 per day on average. With this being said, the shortfall on annual food budget in Meagher County on the whole was a whopping $95,000. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program offered in Meagher County to help low income families to provide nutrient dense and quality food to themselves. The intention of the program is to help those in need acquire the essential nutrients that are crucial to maintaining overall good health. That being said, SNAP eligibility is based on poverty level. in 2021, 52% of food insecure households in Meagher County were above the SNAP threshold of 200% poverty. The other 48% landed below SNAP and other supplemental program’s threshold. The food pantry is supported by the Montana Food Network, but is also known to accept donations. The White Sulphur Springs High School’s National Honor Society chapter has put on a Valentine’s Day food drive for the past two years and has donated several hundred pounds of foods/goods and the local 4H chapter has also donated canned goods in the past. The Meagher County Nutrition Coalition and Food Distribution Center is working to fight the levels of food insecurity and hunger within the region. The food pantry is open from 3 to 5 pm every Wednesday. The distribution center can be contacted by phone at (406) 547-3397.