Setting the Record Straight

SEELEY LAKE –Although food drives in Missoula get media coverage and bring in large quantities of food to the Missoula Food Bank (MFB), Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank (SSCFB) President Karen Montgomery said the food bank in Seeley Lake receives none of that bounty. The reality is SSCFB has some empty shelves that should be stocked with cans of food.

While both SSCFB and MFB are part of the Montana Food Bank Network, the two groups operate independently. Each receives the entire benefits from its fundraising efforts.

Montgomery brought up the issue because in conversing with Seeley Lake residents she realized most people think SSCFB is bulging with a surfeit of supplies because the Can the Cats campaign brought in $85,227 and 196,406 pounds of food. But none of that food or money goes to needy families in Seeley Lake.

According to Mary Ann Morin who keeps the food bank's yearly statistics, in 2014 SSCFB each month provided emergency food for between 50 and 135 people. Of those, 31 percent were children and 25 percent were seniors.

SSCFB has three main sources to draw from in stocking its shelves. Because SSCFB is organized under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is federally funded, a delivery truck brings commodity TEFAP food once every six weeks. In addition, Montgomery purchases supplemental food and personal hygiene items using money from fundraisers such as the October Sock Hop.

The third source for filling the shelves is food and items given to SSCFB by people in the community. Montgomery said there are several sources from community donations. Mission Bible Fellowship holds a monthly food drive. Other local churches donate money. Rovero's provides a large bin in their store where people can drop off items. People may also bring donations directly to the food bank on Tuesdays located at Seeley Lake Elementary School (SLE).

Under TEFAP regulations, SSCFB is authorized to give each client a three-day supply of food, adjusted to family size. Clients may receive food once a month for a year. Montgomery said the food bank never turns anyone away and if clients require food more often than once a month, and if it is because of medical expenses or another valid reason, the client receives an extra supply of food.

Morin said the mantra at SSCFB is "Err on the side of compassion." Personnel at the food bank are also able to guide clients to other applicable agencies and programs, such as the School Breakfast Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In most cases, small quantity sizes are preferable to large ones. Though food bank volunteers are permitted to divide staples such as flour and sugar into individual zip lock bags, they are not allowed to divide other items such as oil. Well-meaning people, who donate a large bottle of cooking oil assuming it will meet the needs of five or six families, are actually helping only one family. Though clients often request dog and cat food, SSCFB is not allowed to use its funds to purchase pet food. It is able to re-bag large quantities of donated pet food.

Meat from game that is legally killed and professionally processed is always appreciated at SSCFB. Montgomery said during the 2014 hunting season, five elk were donated to the food bank and the donors were kind enough to pay for processing.

This season SSCFB only received two elk and had to pay for the processing themselves. This limited the amount of money available for purchasing other supplemental supplies.

SSCFB is able to use the school freezer. It can not accept perishable foods because it does not have access to a refrigerator nor room for one. During the summer, when the Farmer's Market is available, SSCFB tries to give $5 vouchers so people can buy fresh vegetables.

SSCFB is run entirely by volunteers. Secretary Sheree Hill, who is in charge of scheduling and training new volunteers said, "We're always in need of volunteers. It's a two-hour shift once a month. Two people always work together."

She added volunteer participation has declined the last few months. That means many of the remaining volunteers have to work double shifts.

Montgomery said SSCFB began distributing food in October of 1998 and she was one of the first volunteers. In 16 years, the number of clients served has increased far beyond what she expected. But she said, "There are so many generous giving people in this valley that have kept us able to keep our doors open."

The food bank is open every Tuesday from noon until 4 p.m.