Community comes through for Columbia Falls Food Bank

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

In a time of considerable need, the community of Columbia Falls has come through — again.

Funtastic Finds hosted a Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours social last Thursday, and the event was also a fundraiser for the Columbia Falls Food Bank. The fundraiser was an overwhelming success, thanks to the community and specifically Don Bennett, president of Freedom Bank.

Bennett pledged to match funds raised during the event. That total was $1,925.14, which was matched — dollar for dollar — by Freedom Bank.

In addition, dozens of bags and boxes of food donated by community members filled the back of a pickup truck, which transported the goods to the Food Bank.

"It's in times like these that neighbors can stand together and help each other," Bennett said Monday of the tough economic time. "They can lift each other's spirits. All it takes is people sticking together. The better attitude we have the quicker we can get through it."

"This is an awesome community," Columbia Falls Food Bank Director Jan Von Lindern said after receiving more than $3,800 in cash and a truckload of food for the Food Bank.

Sally Petersen of Funtastic Finds and Cindy Gerrity of 406 Woman magazine were the primary organizers of the fundraiser.

"I'm overwhelmed with the generosity of this community and the turnout," Petersen said of the fundraiser and social.

"We had such a good time," Gerrity said.

Gerrity credited Constance See of 406 Woman for playing a role in getting the word out about the fundraiser through her article in the magazine.

Fundraisers for two food banks in Whitefish and Kalispell are on tap early next month. Donations of non-perishable food items are being accepted. Sponsors include 406 Woman, Freedom Bank, KOFI and the Monster radio and Bleach-Brite.

Bella Colour Salon in Kalispell hosts an event Friday, Dec. 5. There will be live music by La Nota, wine tasting, drawings for certificates from Bella Colour, Simply Sweet Baking Co. and skin care products, plus great food.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake hosts a fundraiser on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Enjoy the $10 seafood buffet and bring a donation to be entered to win two night's lodging, a Boat Club gift certificate and treatment at the Spa at Whitefish Lake.

Both fundraising events begin at 5 p.m.