Mission

The Gallatin Valley Food Bank’s mission is to improve food security throughout the Gallatin Valley.

Food Banks were originally intended to fill the gap when households were out of food and resources due to an emergency.  Emergency situations (major disasters), are now less than half of our client load.  We also serve working poor households whose income does not stretch to cover food expenses, seasonally employed households, people waiting for SSDI, SSI and Workmen’s Compensation as well as households who are temporarily homeless.  We now have between 16,000 and 17,000 individuals a year seeking assistance from our food bank.
 Our new vision and purpose for this organization is to offer consumers a variety of options that will allow them to choose the most effective path to food security while offering information to raise awareness about healthy food choices.  We must also look for opportunities that will financially sustain each program, so as not to place an additional burden on community donations.

Our philosophy encompasses the spirit of practical problem solving.  The first step is not diagnosis, but an assessment of food security needs that are not currently addressed in our community.  The key points of self-concept, responsibility for one’s own actions, and individual development reflect our desire to offer food security in a way that offers dignity in choice.

The Food Bank already offers the following programs:

EMERGENCY FOOD BOX PROGRAM

If you are out of food and resources due to an emergency, we offer a five day supply of food.  The box size depends on the number of people in the household and the household’s cooking ability.  Perishable food items are available on an ‘as received’ basis outside the Food Bank between 11 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday.

SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM

We also have a supplemental service for Seniors called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  This bag of groceries is delivered once a month and is meant to supplement the household’s grocery budget.  We are currently providing for more than 250 seniors per month (an average of 34 pounds of food per month).

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN

Many of our parents tell us that they have difficulty affording groceries when children are out of school for the summer.  These children generally receive free or reduced lunches while at school and the cost of daycare increases during the summer.  We have collaborated with the Office of Public Instruction, area schools, and low income housing sites to offer free lunches to children.  This summer we are serving approximately 150 children at four sites.

SATELLITE SITES

The Gallatin Valley Food Bank has a satellite site located in Three Forks, The Headwaters Area Food Bank.  This site is designed to more efficiently and effectively meet the emergency food needs of residents residing in the west end of the valley.

Satellite perishables and emergency food box services are also offered in Belgrade through our partnership with the Living Waters United Methodist Church.  Food assistance services are available Saturdays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.  The Church is located at 56 W. Cameron Bridge Road, off Jackrabbit Lane (Across from Kenyon Noble).   Applications are required for food boxes; however, no application is required for perishable food items.