Whitefish Credit Union donates $3,203 to area food banks
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — Around the state food pantries and banks have seen an increase in need but a decrease in funding. Reductions in federal budgets have cut the supply of USDA commodities to food banks throughout the U.S.
But communities have rallied to donate where federal funding falls short.
The Whitefish Credit Union, which has six offices, including one in Polson, wrapped up the third annual month-long Cash and Cans food drive Feb. 13.
For every pound of food donated its branches in six different communities, Whitefish Credit Union donated $1. In the end, 3,203 pounds of food in matching funds were collected, totaling $3,203. There was also $415 in cash donations from union members. The money will be evenly distributed to food banks in Columbia Falls, Eureka, Kalispell, Polson, Thompson Falls and Whitefish.
“It’s been something we really look forward to, and it’s definitely growing,” said Sue Schenck director of business development for Whitefish Credit Union. “You better watch out; next year we are going to blow the doors out.”
The donations help during a time when a lot of food banks are struggling to fill their shelves. December, typically a busy month for all food banks, had record numbers at Polson’s Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, which accepted 25,000 pounds of donated food and distributed that same amount to hungry families and individuals. On Dec. 23, in just one day, 4,023 pounds were given out.
In 2011, Loaves and Fish dispersed more than 153,500 pounds of food items. Along with local food drives, approximately 44 percent of food items by weight came from Polson supermarkets Safeway and Super 1. The pantry serves 404 client families and 1,021 individuals per month. Last fall’s annual Town Pump Match Program was joined by Mission Mountain Les Schwab Tires to create an overall $7,000 match program for the Polson food pantry.
“The holidays may be over, but hunger isn’t,” is the mantra of the Whitefish Credit Union food drive. And according to Bryan River, managing director of Loaves and Fish, the pantry is in “good shape” two months later, thanks in part to local businesses, individuals and tribal and community entities.
“Townspeople, businesses and churches are super,” said River. “Private donations make a difference.”
Communities rallying to help out friends, family and neighbors is the idea behind food drives and donations in the area.
“(Whitefish Credit Union) is community-based and owned, and it’s our way of giving back to those who make us work,” said Polson branch manager Jason Reese.
