Critical van out of commission

A blown engine in one of Flathead Food Bank's two vans that pick up and deliver food has handicapped the agency during its busiest time of the year.

"I'm trying not to panic," food bank director Lori Botkin said. "But this couldn't have come at a worse time, with all of our holiday distributions and pickups ahead of us. We're wondering how we'll function."

The 1998 Ford van - a 15-passenger vehicle hollowed out to carry commodities - was delivering food bags to low-income seniors in Lakeside on Monday when the engine "started knocking to beat heck," Botkin said.

The vehicle was towed to Loren's Auto Repair, where the diagnosis was a failed engine.

It will cost $7,500 to $8,000 to fix the nearly decade-old van, and Botkin wonders if it's worth repairing. There's no money in the budget for a new vehicle or that big a repair bill.

"We're stumped," she said. "We're looking for ideas."

The 1998 van, plus a newer 2003 Chevy van, are used constantly to haul food to outlying food pantries and pick up groceries from several grocery stores.

"Those vans are so full. They're usually loaded to the gills," Botkin said.

She made a public plea on Friday for help.

Anyone who has a van to donate can call Botkin at 752-3663. Donations may be sent to Flathead Food Bank, 105 Sixth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901.

The food bank also needs food donations this time of year as plans are finalized for holiday baskets for needy residents.

Canned and packaged goods may be dropped off at the main food bank in Kalispell or outlying pantries in Marion, Martin City, Bigfork and Evergreen.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected]