Fundraiser puts food bank over the top

In one night on Wednesday, the Bigfork Food Bank went from being $13,000 in debt to having money in the bank after a community charity event pulled in the funds needed to pay off the center’s newest building.

Just five years after moving into expanded space, the Bigfork Food Bank saw such an uptick in patrons that its board approved a $365,000 project to build a roughly 2,500-square-foot space the community could rely on for years to come.

The volunteers leading the food bank weren’t sure how long the organization would be in debt when it moved into the new space in 2015, but knew it was necessary.

Ann Tucker, the director of the food bank, said when she began working with the organization roughly 10 years ago, it served roughly 40 families a month. She said the volunteer food pantry now serves roughly 150 families each month.

“We were just getting more people than we could serve in the old space,” Tucker said. “So we took an enormous leap of faith and created a building I expect will be the last move we ever need to make.”

On Wednesday, Bigfork summer residents Olivia and Patrick Garbey hosted the Bigfork Food Bank Fundraiser Dinner. The goal was to pull in enough money to pay off the food bank’s debt, but it exceeded expectations by raking in $30,000.

Olivia Garbey said she and her husband were married on the same spot the charity dinner was held in 2013. Each year since their wedding, the couple has hosted a party to celebrate the life they had in Bigfork.

“This year, we wanted to give back,” Olivia Garbey said. “We knew about charities around the valley, but we wanted something that went directly to Bigfork. When we started searching for what needs were out there, we were surprised to learn how many people went hungry here.”

Just three months ago, she paired up with Tucker to plan the midsummer event.

When invitations were sent out at the beginning of the summer, the food bank still needed $17,000 to pay off the new building. That had been reduced to $13,000 by the time of the fundraising event.

As news of the fundraiser spread, more support poured in, Garbey said. For friends and locals who couldn’t make the event, money was sent directly to the food bank.

Frank Chasnos of Bigfork suggested live and silent auctions at the dinner. From there, local businesses began sending in items as diverse as the Montana village.

The Bigfork Fire Department donated a 20-minute ride on the fire truck through town. The Flathead Lake Lodge auctioned off a river trip. Local professionals offered items such as family portraits, a catered meal for eight, a fishing trip and a cocktail cruise on a private pontoon boat.

Tucker said while the fundraiser exceeded expectations, every dollar was needed — and future support will be needed, too.

“In Kalispell, you can see the people holding signs or asking for help. We don’t get that here in Bigfork,” Tucker said. “These people aren’t on the golf course, they’re not boating around the lake, they don’t shop in downtown Bigfork. So their need often gets hidden.”

Tucker said last year the food bank handed out 69,000 pounds of food. So far this year, the center has given out 36,446 pounds. She said that number is well beyond the center’s normal summer average. That means by the time winter hits — when the need typically expands — she expects the total amount of food passed out to double from last year.

Tucker said the new building was planned in anticipation of growth. It was designed to fit the pantry’s needs, included a walk-in freezer and extra space that currently is being used as storage.

Unlike the previous location, the new food bank meets state health-code requirements by having four sinks.

Tucker said while the building is paid for, there’s always a need to purchase food for the people who walk in.

“We hope we’ll never outgrow this building because we hope to see the need shrink as people get into a better financial state,” Tucker said. “The majority of people who come here would rather have a job, but honestly, it’s a hard place to live and there needs to be more Montana jobs.”

She said for those who find themselves stuck without work, the food bank will be there.

The Bigfork Food Bank is open the first and third Tuesday of the month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, call Ann Tucker at 406-250-4546. Donations for the nonprofit organization can be sent to P.O. Box 850, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.