January 14, 2010
DPHHS Director to Celebrate MLK Day at
Montana Food Bank Network
DPHHS VISTAs, Staff to Volunteer on MLK Day, too
Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Anna Whiting Sorrell will volunteer Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Montana Food Bank Network in Missoula in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Whiting Sorrell will repackage and help hand out food.
Whiting Sorrell picked the Montana Food Bank Network to volunteer her time to highlight the importance of serving others and fighting hunger in these tough economic times. “DPHHS has a long history with the Montana Food Bank Network and fighting hunger is very important to me,” she said. “I also recognize these tough economic times are impacting Montanans.”
Whiting Sorrell said 108,617 Montanans are now receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (previously known as food stamps), which is 23,000 more people than 12 months ago.
“It’s important Montana families have food,” Whiting Sorrell said. “The Montana Food Bank Network and its 190 affiliates across the state do an amazing job of helping Montanans in need put food on the table.”
DPHHS has also worked with the MFBN to set up specific volunteer opportunities for some of its 3,000 employees at food banks all across Montana. “Instead of taking a day off on MLK Day, many of our staff will be instead taking a day to serve at food pantries in their local communities,” Whiting Sorrell said.
DPHHS staff will sort and distribute food, paint walls and clean rooms. MFBN executive director Peggy Grimes appreciates DPHHS staff reaching out to help food banks. “Thanks to the generosity of DPHHS employees several food banks will be able to stay open and some long overdue projects will be completed,” she said.
In addition, Director Whiting Sorrell said DPHHS Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) will also be volunteering. DPHHS VISTAs have joined several AmeriCorps VISTAs in Helena to organize a Diversity Fair at Bryant School and a supply drive as a service project. All supply drive donations will be split between the Helena YWCA, the Friendship Center and God’s Love. Items can be dropped off at the Helena Safeway and Walgreens on Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A list of needed items include: Canned foods, veggies, fruits, beans, non perishable boxed food, zip lock bags, saran wrap, trash bags, toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, baby soap/body wash, dryer sheets, dish soap, sponges, deodorant, Q tips, cold medicine, children’s diapers sizes, baby wipes, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, lotion, make up, mouth wash, chapstick, socks and laundry detergent.
“Service projects like this are but one example of the great work that will be going on all around the state on MLK Day,” said Whiting Sorrell.
For more information about the service project call DPHHS VISTA Kristie Bronson at 406-444-0858.
To learn additional ways about how to get involved and help your community, visit the Governor’s Office of Community Service at www.serve.mt.gov. To share your story of service to inspire others, please e-mail them to serve@mt.gov.
For additional Resources about Martin Luther King Day:
http://www.serve.gov/mlkday.asp
For more information on VISTA go to http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
Page last updated: 01/15/2010
