Governor Gianforte Helps Pack Boxes at Montana Food Bank Network

Governor Gianforte Helps Pack Boxes at Montana Food Bank Network

Tours new distribution center expected to double storage capacity

• December 23 2024

MISSOULA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte last week joined staff at the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) distribution center in Missoula to tour the new construction and help pack boxes for those in need.

"For over 40 years, the Montana Food Bank Network has supported our communities and worked tirelessly to end hunger," Gov. Gianforte said. "Last week, it was great to help pack boxes for families in need of a holiday meal this Christmas. I know I can speak on behalf of all Montanans when I say how grateful we are for the volunteers, staff, and donors who make this possible year-round."

Gov. Gianforte helping pack boxes at the Montana Food Bank Network warehouse in Missoula

Serving as Montana's only statewide food bank, MFBN sources millions of pounds of food each year to store at their warehouse in Missoula until it can be distributed to its network partners across the state including food pantries, senior centers, schools, and other organizations.

In 2024, MFBN distributed over 16 million pounds of food across Montana and supplied its partners with fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and other grocery goods.

This year, the organization broke ground on a new distribution center that will replace and double MFBN's current storage capacity with room for over 1,600 pallets of shelf-stable goods, 160 pallets of fresh produce, and 360 pallets of frozen meats and vegetables.

Touring the construction site, the governor met with MFBN leadership and staff to hear about the new project.

Gov. Gianforte surveying construction on the new Montana Food Bank Network distribution center in Missoula

"The increased capacity of this facility allows us to take advantage of the food supplied by USDA that we currently can't accept due to capacity constraints. That means more truckloads of donated food that we can process to provide for Montana communities," said MFBN chief Development Officer Bill Matthews.

During a visit to the current facility, the governor helped staff pack boxes for Montanans in need of a holiday meal this Christmas.

To learn more about the Montana Food Bank Network and ways to give, visit mfbn.org.