Plum Creek Timber Co. has provided $35,000 to seven community food banks serving Northwest Montana.

This is the fourth year in a row the company has helped local food banks meet ongoing needs during the holiday season. A slowly recovering economy has resulted in ever-growing demand on food banks and other services to fill the gap for many families in northwest Montana.

“Many of our neighbors are still facing difficult times and struggling to make ends meet,” said Tom Ray, Plum Creek’s vice president for northwest resources and manufacturing. “The food banks are serving a critical need in our community and deserve our support. We hope our donations this week will mean a happier holiday for many community residents.”

Donations include $7,500 to the Columbia Falls Food Bank, $12,500 to the Flathead Valley Food Bank, $2,500 to the Libby Food Pantry, $4,000 to the North Valley Food Bank, $4,000 to the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry, $2,500 to the Tobacco Valley Food Pantry and $2,000 to the Westshore Community Assistance Program.

In addition, Plum Creek employees collected food and donated more than 150 turkeys to the food banks, the company donated $1,800 worth of plywood for the Columbia Falls Food Bank expansion project, and the Plum Creek Foundation contributed $5,000 to the North Valley Food Bank’s building campaign.