The Bozeman Community Food Co-op awards funds to help area children through the KidsPack Program operated through the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

The Bozeman Community Food Co-op has gifted the KidsPack program a matching donation of $7,350.00. The community is encouraged to support children by helping this much-needed program. The KidsPack program provides supplemental weekend nourishment to children in southwest Montana, reaching an average of 400 kids each week. Over the 2017-18 school year, 12,796 KidsPack were distributed through 21 sites in Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties. Packs include approximately four pounds of easy to prepare, nutritious, kid-friendly foods.

“Our Co-op is honored to support these efforts to fight childhood hunger. Helping hundreds of kids in our area gain access to weekend nourishment is such an important resource,” said Alison Grey Germain, Co-op Marketing and Membership Manager. “We hope the community will match our support and kick off the school year knowing that this program will be there for those in need.”

“The Co-op has long assisted our nutrition programs, including efforts like the Farm to Food Bank program,” said Jill Holder, Food and Nutrition Director for HRDC. “We have purchased vegetables from local growers and lentils and beans from Montana farmers utilizing the Farm to Food Bank Funds. In addition, the Co-op has also hosted multiple guest chef nights at the Fork & Spoon Homestyle Kitchen. The Co-op’s gift to the KidsPack program is much-needed and welcome, especially now, to help keep this program operating.”

As previous grant reaches its sunset, the program needs a total of $50,000 to help it continue operating and provide nutrition to one of our community’s more vulnerable populations.

Gifts (donations) can be sent through the www.gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org or sent to P.O. Box 1129, Bozeman MT 59715. Online donations can be given via a Classy Fundraising page. Find the link at www.bozo.coop/support-healthy-kidspack.

Please designate your matching gift for KidsPack.

HRDC is a nonprofit community action agency dedicated to strengthening community. To learn more visit www.thehrdc.org.