4 minute read
Child Hunger
FIGHTING CHILD HUNGER Great Falls Community Food Bank helps battle hunger among children
by Grace Carr, editor-in-chief
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Just under 37,000 children in Montana are struggling with hunger as of 2017, according to the non-profit hunger relief organization, Feeding America. 3,170 of these food insecure individuals live in Cascade County.
Food insecurity refers to the USDA’s (Department of Agriculture’s) measure of lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally sufficient foods.
Child hunger and food insecurity is a growing issue taking place in our own neighborhoods. Many agencies around the community do their best to provide for children and their families including the children’s receiving home, school pantry’s, First English Lutheran Church, various church groups, Boys and Girls Club, and missions.
However, these agencies do not have all the food supplies necessary. The Great Falls Community Food Bank is a place for these agencies to buy food for a fraction of the regular price.
“In the war on hunger, we provide the weapons,” Shaun Tatarka, executive director of the food bank, said.
The Great Falls food bank serves 65 to 70 agencies in the community. It’s a place where organizations will get anywhere from 30-90 percent of their food.
“We get as much food to the agencies for as little as possible,” Tatarka said.
The food bank gets its supplies through donations, collections from grocery stores, and buying goods in bulk. For example, the Salvation Army will join the food bank and buy in large quantities together to save money. This food is then distributed to the agencies at a lower price. An organization will stretch their dollar 20 to 30 times by shopping at the food bank instead of name-brand stores such as Wal-Mart.
“We add a shared maintenance fee,” Tatarka said. “Just enough to keep the lights on and ensure we are here in 20 years.”
The Great Falls Community Food Bank also recognizes the growing issue of child hunger in the area. Tatarka said that 11 of the city’s 15 elementary Foods contained in a typical “backpack” for students include juice, oatmeal, soup, granola bar, fruit snack, cereal, milk, and a single serving of macaroni & cheese. Baked and other soon-to-be expired goods are given away for free. Baby food is the only item not kept past the expiration date.
schools are categorized as Title I, meaning 50 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. To provide students with food outside of school hours, the food bank created a system called the Backpacks4Kids Program.
Backpacks4Kids began in 2012 when teachers and counselors noticed many kids would act out on Fridays because they hated weekends as they were not guaranteed food. To provide food insecure children with a meal on the weekends, the food bank gives out about 740 packs of sustenance each week.
“For a sixth grader, it’s not a lot, but it gets them through the weekend,” Tatarka said.
The clear bags are filled with about three pounds of food. They tend to be more carb heavy, but are high in proteins, and they are increasing the quality. Teachers and counselors at each elementary school request a certain number of packs from the food bank each week based on who they believe is in need.
“The teachers and counselors are trained to spot these kids,” he said. “If you want a bag, you get a bag.” Tatarka explains he doubts many people know how bad the issue of hunger is in Montana, but the organization tries to get the message out there. He encourages community members to give their donations to the local food bank because 100 percent of the proceeds go back in to the Great Falls area.
The Great Falls Community Food Bank closes at 4 p.m. on Monday-Friday. However, high school students or anyone available is encouraged to volunteer by filling backpacks or donating food. Tatarka also asks for high schoolers to help with the annual Postal Food Drive taking place on May 9. During this event, Great Falls community members are encouraged to leave non-perishable food items outside their door and letter carriers and volunteers pick up the donations. Individuals in groups of two -- a runner and a driver -- are asked to participate to assist letter carriers in the collection process.
Every can of chili is a meal for a struggling child and his or her family.
For more statistics on child hunger ratings across America by county, visit map.feedingamerica.org.
$5,054,000 Annual food budget shortfall in Montana:
Chili is one of the quickest non-perishable food items to leave the food bank shelves.
Tomato soup is one of the most common items donated to the food bank.
The food bank’s freezer and storage area can hold more food than most local agencies.
