BIGFORK — Three Bigfork nonprofits have joined together raising $3,000 for the Bigfork Food Bank, resulting in more than 2,000 pounds of food.
Led by Lisa Cloutier’s $1,000 donation with Bigfork Innovations Group, the community Foundations for a Better Bigfork and the Bigfork Rotary matched dollar donations helping reach the $3,000 goal.
Due to coronavirus concerns, the Bigfork Food Bank has been closed since April 7. Under new safety measures, the food bank will open it’s doors again on Tuesday.
Community Foundations for a Better Bigfork board member Andrea Sliter Goudge said the greater-Bigfork community wanted to make sure the food bank was well-stocked for reopening.
She credits the Bigfork community for rallying together to help those less fortunate.
“So far these three nonprofits to recognize a need in our community, it just is a tremendous testament to what it means to be a Montanan, and a small-town Montanan," said Sliter Goudge. "Just really bringing it home for families that are hurting in this time of this COVID-19 pandemic.”
Bigfork Food Bank director Ann Tucker expects Tuesday’s food distribution to reach 100 families, more than double their distribution on a normal week.
Tucker said the three nonprofits reached out to the food bank finding out exactly what resources they needed most.
“It gives us the opportunity to stockpile food, and they were very nice in that they called ahead of time and asked us what items we needed," said Tucker. "By them donating it, it meant we didn’t have to purchase it.
Thanks to donations, Tucker said the food supply will remain well-stocked for the coming weeks.
The Bigfork Food Bank is open for pickups on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
