The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

In this land of plenty called the Golden Triangle there is nothing worse than going to bed with an empty belly and yet that happens.

However, it does not happen as much as it used to with the advent of the Big Sandy Food Bank which used to be run out of the Methodist Church basement and now is run at the Big Sandy Church of God.

According to Pastor Eric Sietsema, there are about fifteen families that have real needs for food and that translates into around 70 people in our community that would not make it through the month without help from the Big Sandy Food Bank.

Right now that need seems quite stable and has not gone up dramatically for some time now.

With Christmas just around the corner, that represents a time that more food and different kinds of food are needed by Food Bank patrons.

Terry Grant said that for Christmas at the Food Bank, they try to get ingredients for a meal with no short cuts when needed. Food Bank patrons get to choose between a ham and a turkey for their Christmas meal and it is accompanied by stuffing, cranberries, gravy, olives, mashed potatoes with real dressing and even pies when available.

Anything that the community can donate to help out during this very special time is greatly appreciated by the Big Sandy Food Bank.

The Grocery Store takes donations for food for the food bank and they have a big box in their store that people put donated food in. That box is emptied often.

If you need assistance and you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, contact Pastor Eric at the Big Sandy Church of God. His number is 406-399-3803. Or contact Terry Grant at 406-290-2922 and Karli Phillips at 406-390-6550.

Every Saturday afternoon after 3pm stop by the Church of God for perishable food as well.

Lee Ann Williams runs that program along with any other program that needs help.

The perishable program comes from Great Falls where food vendors donate perishable items for area food banks. That food is distributed, among other points at Fort Benton and Big Sandy gets a call if there is enough for them. Those items might include meat, milk, eggs, bread and the like.

Every Saturday Big Sandy volunteers drive to Fort Benton and pick up that food and distribute it at the Church of God between 3 and 4pm.

Volunteers are needed for the Fort Benton run.

This is the time of year that more food is needed than ever and more expensive food as well so give what you can and when you see Lee Ann, Eric, Terry and Karli on the street, give them a tip of your hat and a hale and strong Thank You for all they do as volunteers.