Helena Food Share Inc

FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED.

DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021, HELENA FOOD SHARE PROVIDED FOOD ASSISTANCE TO NEIGHBORS IN NEED IN THE GREATER HELENA AREA.GROCERY SHARE HELENA FOOD SHARE NORMALLY OPERATES A GROCERY SHARE PROGRAM (CHOICE SHOPPING) IN THREE LOCATIONS: THE LEWIS STREET PANTRY, THE EAST HELENA PANTRY, AND THE MOBILE POP-UP PANTRY. HOWEVER, THIS SERVICE WAS REPLACED WITH COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES (GRAB AND GO CART) IN MARCH 2020 AND CONTINUED UNTIL JUNE 2021 WHEN CHOICE SHOPPING WAS AVAILABLE AGAIN. THE FARMERS TO FAMILIES FOOD BOX PROGRAM, PROVIDING WIDESPREAD FOOD ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY ENDED IN OCTOBER 2020. AT JUNE 30, 2021, THE NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THE GROCERY SHARE PROGRAM WERE AS FOLLOWS. FULL-SHOP SERVICES (ALL FOOD ITEMS, UP TO ONCE PER MONTH) - $2,103 HALF-SHOP SERVICES (PERISHABLES FOODS, UP TO ONCE PER WEEK) - $453 COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (GRAB & GO CART, ALL FOOD ITEMS) - $14,726 FARMERS TO FAMILIES FOOD BOXES (25-LB BOX, ASSORTED PRODUCE & DELI) - $15,195 TOTAL GROCERY SHARE SERVICES - $32,588 HOLIDAY MEAL SHAREAT THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, HELENA FOOD SHARE PROVIDES A TURKEY AND EXTRA SIDES SO THEY CAN SERVE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY MEALS. AT JUNE 30, 2021, HELENA FOOD SHARE PROVIDED THESE HOLIDAY MEAL SERVICES. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MEAL SHARE SERVICES - $1,292 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MEAL SHARE SERVICES - $754 TOTAL - $2,246 KID PACKSHELENA FOOD SHARE SERVES LOCAL ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH THE KID PACKS PROGRAM. STUDENTS IDENTIFIED BY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF, ARE GIVEN A SPECIAL PACK OF KID-FRIENDLY FOODS TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF WEEKEND NUTRITION. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021, THE PROGRAM SERVED CHILDREN THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR IN HEAD START, PRE-SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOMS IN HELENA AND EAST HELENA.KID PACKS - $29,944SENIOR ASSISTANCEHELENA FOOD SHARE GIVES TARGETED FOOD ASSISTANCE TO INCOME-ELIGIBLE SENIORS. DURING FISCAL YEARS 2021, THE SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM PROVIDED A $50 SUPPLY OF COUPONS TO 300 SENIORS FOR SHOPPING AT THE HELENA FARMERS MARKET. THIS LETS SENIORS ENHANCE THEIR FOOD RESOURCES WITH FRESH, MONTANA-GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND HERBS. HELENA FOOD SHARE ALSO IS THE HELENA DISTRIBUTION PARTNER TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ITS SENIOR COMMODITIES FOOD PROGRAM. ELIGIBLE SENIORS RECEIVE A NUTRITIOUS, USDA-SUPPLIED FOOD ITEMS ON A BIMONTHLY BASIS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021, COMMODITY BOXES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 1,582 SENIORS.AGENCY COLLABORATIONEMERGENCY SNACK PACK DISTRIBUTION OCCURS WITH MANY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER, GOD'S LOVE, GOOD SAMARITAN, OFFICE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OUR PLACE, PUREVIEW HEALTH CENTER, YWCA AND OTHERS. HELENA FOOD SHARE DISTRIBUTED 2,005 EMERGENCY SNACK PACKS IN FISCAL YEAR 2021. IN 2021, HELENA FOOD SHARE BEGAN FOOD IS CARE, A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH ST. PETER'S HEALTH SERVING COMMUNITY MEMBERS REFERRED BY CAREGIVERS WITH ST. PETER'S HEALTH WHO EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY, HAVE MOBILITY OR TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES AND DIET-SENSITIVE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, OR HYPERTENSION. 111 FOOD IS CARE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY HELENA FOOD SHARE IN FISCAL YEAR 2021.HELENA FOOD SHARE DISTRIBUTES SURPLUS FOOD TO OTHER LOCAL NONPROFIT AGENCIES, SUCH AS GOD'S LOVE AND THE CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. HELENA FOOD SHARE ALSO ASSISTS THE MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK BY PROVIDING A DELIVERY AND PICKUP CENTER FOR FOOD IT DISTRIBUTES TO OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES.