STEVENSVILLE - One pumpkin at a time is how the Poverello Center, a local shelter in Missoula, is making a difference this season.
This fall, they are raising funds to support the unhoused community and turning an autumn harvest into hope for those in need.
"I’ve seen firsthand what poverty looks like and how it affects families and the different ways you can help," said local farmer Megan Pfau.
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Pfau said she chose to grow hundreds of pumpkins to help the Poverello Center's annual fundraiser to feed Missoula's unhoused community.
"The Poverello Center does that for those who are struggling," Pfau said.
It’s part of a ten-year tradition: farmers grow the pumpkins, local groups sell them, and the proceeds support the center’s food programs.
"Our kitchen serves about 150,000 meals a year," Poverello Center Director of Development Stephanie Dolan said. "And on top of that, another 50,000, 60,000 sack lunches get distributed out of our kitchen."
Dolan says it takes the entire community to keep the Poverello running.
"We’ll serve as many people as we can this year," Dolan says, "but I think it’s really going to be a community effort this year to really try to help people who are living unhoused."
With the recent closure of the Johnson Street Emergency Shelter, the Poverello Center has faced more challenges.
"It’s a really crucial time right now with Johnson Street shelter closing," Dolan said. "We're really stretched thin in terms of capacity at the Pov.
Dolan says the challenges won’t stop their mission to support and care for their unhoused neighbors.
"We’re going to keep doing what we always do, we’re serving food, we're sheltering people, we're helping them gain some stability in their lives," said Dolan.
Their mission inspired local farmers like Pfau to continue to give back.
"Just doing this for the Pov and helping them raise money was the next step for me," Pfau said. "The biggest thing for me is you will never go hungry, you will always have food on your plate."
Community members can find pumpkins for sale for $10 each at the following locations:
- Clearwater Credit Union on Russell
- Rattlesnake Market
- The Good Food Store
- The Trough
- YMCA Missoula
To additionally support the Poverello Center food programs, join staff and community members for the following events:
- Draught Works on October 12 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Pumpkin Painting Party - You purchase the pumpkin, and Draught Works will supply the paint.
- GILD Brewing Company on October 13 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Guild will donate $1 to the Poverello for every beverage sold, so get your thirsty friends together!
- Texas Roadhouse on October 18 and 20.
- Mention the Poverello Center before checkout to ensure your donation goes to our food programs!
- Meagher Bar on October 27 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
- Eat! Drink! Cheer! Give! Mark your calendars for Game 3 of the World Series, Kansas City Chiefs vs the Washington Commanders, and Community Night at Meaghar Bar, where 20% of sales go to the Pov!
- Eat! Drink! Cheer! Give! Mark your calendars for Game 3 of the World Series, Kansas City Chiefs vs the Washington Commanders, and Community Night at Meaghar Bar, where 20% of sales go to the Pov!
