Farm Hands — Nourish the Flathead was awarded an $11,000 grant toward the purchase of a van to transport food.

The grant was one of six, totaling $108,550, awarded by Gov. Steve Bullock and Montana No Kid Hungry for organizations to continue operating emergency food services in response to COVID-19.

The van, a 2018 Ford Transit, is used for the Columbia Falls Weekend BackPack Program, which provides children in need with food when school is not in session.

“It has been essential to our work and we are so grateful,” Farm Hands Executive Director Gretchen Boyer said, noting that about 700 to 750 bags of food have been delivered to Columbia Falls students each week.

Twice a month, the van is also used to deliver food to Medicine Bear Shelter in Browning in addition to serving as a mobile farmers market to supply fresh produce to program clients.

Boyer said the vehicle is a game-changer for expanding access to nutritious food.

“It will allow us to source and transport food, local when possible, all over Flathead County,” Boyer said. “It will also allow us to serve folks in our community who have issues with transportation by working on a mobile pantry and food delivery plan. We plan for this vehicle to serve us well into the future.”

Montana No Kid Hungry is a public-private partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Department of Public Health and Human Services, and the nonprofit Share Our Strength.

No Kid Hungry emergency relief grants are available schools and community organizations that are finding new ways to make sure kids have access to meals when schools are closed due to COVID-19. Emergency grants support efforts such as: home delivered meals, grab-and-go programs, school and community pantries, backpack programs, and other steps to help reach families who lose access to meals.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].