Each year, the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors kicks off their Holiday Valley Food Drive for the valley’s six food banks.

This year, the Trails West Lakeside team outdid themselves.

“Our Lakeside office always rallies to help the West Shore Food Bank and this year was even better than ever,” Cindy Lanier, Food Bank Board President, said.

The Realtors and staff at Trails West Lakeside each took a shift collecting food at the local post office and it paid off.

Mary Murray of Rocky Mountain Bank, Heidi Escalante of Alliance Title and Lakeside area Realtors combined their efforts to canvas the area and collect food donations.

“This year’s kick off has produced 1,111 pounds of food in one day, that is more than in the past two years combined,” Leslie Knuth, West Shore Food Bank Director, said.

The West Shore Food Bank services Somers, Lakeside, Rollins and Elmo. Valley Realtors had until Sept. 29 to make donations for this year’s Realtor Food Drive, but donations are accepted year-round at all the food banks.

Food banks are located in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Lakeside, Bigfork and two in Kalispell.

“This year, the needs are greater than ever,” Knuth said. “Don’t forget your local food bank for the holidays and all throughout the year.”