State employees donate 3,000 pounds of food

HELENA, Mont. – After wrapping up his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced state employees donated over 3,000 pounds of food to the Montana Food Bank Network in his inaugural interagency food drive competition.

“Thanks to the generosity of our state employees, we will help feed and nourish Montanans facing food insecurity during this holiday season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “While all agencies rose to the occasion for the competition, there can be only one champion. Congratulations to employees at the Department of Transportation for winning this year’s competition.”

Launched by the governor on the second day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, the interagency food drive ran from December 1 through December 15 to benefit the Montana Food Bank Network.

Helping feed Montanans since 1983, the Montana Food Bank Network is the only statewide hunger fighting organization in the state. The network works with over 350 partners across Montana’s 56 counties to provide nutritious, high-quality food to Montanans.

The governor announced the results of the interagency food drive competition in a message to state employees:

1st place: Montana Department of Transportation (1,176 food items donated)

2nd place: Montana Department of Environmental Quality (549 food items donated)

3rd place: Montana Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning (487 food items donated)

Food banks in Montana and nationwide have experienced increased demand throughout the pandemic.

Recently, demand and costs at food banks in Montana and nationwide have spiked with inflation and supply chain shortages driving up the cost of food. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of groceries has increased 6.4% in the last 12 months, including baby food up 6.7%, flour up 6.2%, breakfast cereal up 5.7%, and canned fruit and vegetables up 4.2%.

Montanans interested in supporting the Montana Food Bank Network or a food bank near them can visit mfbn.org.