Mass food shipments coming to Flathead Food Bank

Large amounts of produce and other food is on its way to the Flathead Food Bank, where it will be stored in a space in the Gateway Community Center and distributed as needed to other local food banks, senior-living communities, children’s programs and other programs.

According to Jamie Quinn, executive director of Flathead Food Bank, the organization partnered with the Food Bank Network and is going through the federal government’s Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program to secure the resources.

The food bank’s first large shipment came in earlier this week and included large quantities of apples. It will receive more produce later this week followed by other non-produce foods early next week.

The relief is welcomed, as just last week Quinn said the Flathead Food Bank was on the verge of running out of food as the coronavirus outbreak had prompted a shortage of donations from individuals and grocery stores in the wake of local panic buying and stockpiling.

Now, the food bank will oversee where and how the food is distributed.

“Basically, all of the food is being sent directly to us. We are trying now to be a good partner to the state and federal government and food bank network and make sure that we are being good partners to our communities by distributing this food appropriately.” Quinn said.

Northwest Montana United Way opened up a portion of the Gateway Center to be used as a sort of warehouse for the time-being to store all the food coming in. Quinn said between the emergency program and the network, the Flathead Food Bank will be receiving about 125,000 pounds of food.

Quinn said the food will be available for those in-need who are picking up curbside at the food bank and she is striving to make sure much of the food makes it into the hands of more vulnerable populations such as at-risk youth and seniors through various local programs. Quinn and others are also teaming up to make sure hard-hit areas like Browning receive food as well and will keep other local food banks, such as North Valley Food Bank and the Bigfork Food Bank, as well-stocked as possible.

“We are going to be the ones who have control over the access to this food. But this is a community resource, so if other banks had a particularly busy day and are running low, they can come get more from us, that’s what we’re here for,” Quinn said.

Quinn said the food assistance program will continue supplying food — which comes at no cost to the food bank — on a usage basis. Essentially, if the county uses all that is sent, they will provide more. On top of being able to rely on the program, she said local businesses and residents have been donating as well after the food bank made a plea to the public to supply what they are able.

“We are really super appreciative of everyone that is trying to support us,” Quinn said. “We have been so lucky that the whole community has rallied around us and if it weren’t for them, we would be in real trouble right now.”

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com