FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 19 2023

Contacts:
Brooke Metrione, Office of the Governor

State Employees Donate Over 4,500 Pounds of Food to the Montana Food Bank Network

HELENA, Mont. – After wrapping up his 12 Days of Giving campaign last week, Governor Greg Gianforte today announced state employees donated 4,500 pounds of food to the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) in his third annual interagency food drive competition.

“Thanks to the generosity of our state employees, we’re helping feed and nourish our neighbors facing food insecurity this holiday season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Congratulations to our new champion, the Department of Administration, for winning this year’s agency food drive competition.”

Launched by the governor on the second day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, the third annual interagency food drive ran from November 29 to December 13 to benefit MFBN.

Helping feed Montanans since 1983, MFBN is the only statewide hunger-fighting organization in the state. The network works with over 340 partners across Montana’s 56 counties to provide nutritious, high-quality food to Montanans. MFBN distributed over 16.7 million pounds of food to its network in 2022.

The governor announced the results of the interagency food drive competition in a message to state employees:

1st place: Montana Department of Administration (1,049 food items donated)
2nd place: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (863 food items donated)
3rd place: Montana Department of Revenue (595 food items donated)

According to MFBN, a $1 donation will help provide at least 5 meals for Montanans in need.

The network’s most needed food items include canned tuna or meat, peanut butter, canned soup, canned or dry beans, canned vegetables, dry cereal, baby food and formula, tomato sauce, cooking oil, low-fat salad dressings, canned chili, oatmeal, pasta, flour, sugar, whole-grain items, gluten-free items, and low sodium/low sugar items. 

For more information on how to help end hunger in Montana through MFBN, please visit mfbn.org