Whitefish Credit Union will once again donate to local food banks. WCU has pledged to donate $1 to food banks for every pound of food collected at its branches.

The annual “Cash and Cans Food Drive” began Jan. 7 and runs until Feb. 4 at all six branches.

The food banks receiving the donations are the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish, the Columbia Falls Food Bank in Columbia Falls, the Tobacco Valley Food Bank in Eureka, the NW Montana Veteran’s Food Pantry in Kalispell, in Polson the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, Ronan Bread Basket and Mission Valley Food Basket, and the Thompson Falls donations will be divided between the Community Harvest Food Bank of Thompson Falls and the Community Services Fellowship Food Bank of Noxon.

“We’re very proud to be collecting food for our local food banks, and matching these donations with cash again this year,” said Sue Schenck, business development director for the credit union. “This is our third food drive and if the past is any indication, Whitefish Credit Union will be making a great contribution, once again, toward filling those shelves, and lending a helping hand. If you’re thinking of donating, please remember the holidays are over but hunger isn’t.”

According the Montana Food Bank Network, the need for food banks statewide has grown in recent years. The food banks and meal programs in the state have received more than one million visits each year since 2010; the equivalent of needing to feed one million individuals annually.

“Local organizations that are involved in doing food drives and assisting the local food pantries with collecting food and money are really helping the organizations survive and meet their mission,” said Kate Devino with MFBN. “What Whitefish Credit Union is doing to help raise awareness of the need is very critical.”

To join in with Whitefish Credit Union to help support local food banks in Northwest Montana, donors can bring non-perishable food items in to any Whitefish Credit Union branch during regular operating hours.