Flathead County residents have now joined the masses by partaking in “serial hoarding” amid the coronavirus outbreak. And according to the leaders of organizations that offer resources to some of the community’s most vulnerable, it’s the homeless, older adults, at-risk youth and other fragile populations that will bear the brunt of panic buying.

What began as the squirreling away of toilet paper and hand sanitizer has now evolved into Montanans stockpiling soup, pasta, rice and other staples. The behavior was exacerbated by Gov. Steve Bullock’s recent announcement of the state’s first presumed cases of the coronavirus, coupled with the World Health Organization classifying the COVD-19 outbreak as a pandemic.

“If we continue down this path, there is going to be a point very soon where we don’t have food at the food bank,” said Jamie Quinn, executive director of the Flathead Food Bank.

According to Quinn, donations from local grocery stores account for 50% of total donations to the food bank and contributions from the public account for about 25%. But as more people clear off grocery store shelves and stow away their purchases, fewer products are being donated to those who are perhaps more in need of food.

“Sometimes as much as two-thirds of our food comes from our grocery rescue program. So when grocery stores stop providing, we get hurt pretty bad over here,” Quinn said.

She added that the office will place orders for additional food and commodities with the Food Bank Network, which typically delivers those purchases every six weeks. But the most recent delivery was brought last week, meaning the pantry may have to wait five more weeks for additional items, assuming they are even available for the Flathead Food Bank to purchase.

The troubling situation has prompted the food bank to implement a handful of measures.

For example, the food bank typically has about 215,000 pounds of food and other products, most of which is available for people to shop through. However, effective today, the Kalispell food bank will be closed and staff and volunteers will begin distributing pre-packaged bags of food curbside from the office in order to limit exposure. The line for cars will begin at the Glenwood Drive entrance of the Gateway Community Center and wrap around the corner to the front office. According to a post on Flathead Food Bank’s Facebook page, in order to better protect seniors, the food bank will have separate pick-up times. Those 60 and over may pick up on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon, and those under age 60 may pick up on those two days from 1 to 4 p.m.

Quinn said the food bank is working to prioritize more vulnerable populations with what they currently have in storage. For example, staff and volunteers are working to ensure food gets out to those relying on the Backpack Program that regularly supplies hundreds of bags of nutritious items to kids in need. In addition, the food bank is bagging up about two months’ worth of items for those who participate in the Senior Commodity Program.

“We need to reach these people as quickly as possible. We don’t know how long our food or even our volunteers will last,” Quinn said. “The real question is how is the community going to rally behind this? Take out the food bank, take out the government, take out the schools, how are we going to come together in a time of crisis?”

That’s the question on others’ minds as well as organizations serving homeless, at-risk youth and others are asking the public to donate what they are able.

Tonya Horn with the Flathead Warming Center said various shelters may come under additional strain as public spaces where homeless may temporarily escape cold weather or have a meal decide to close their doors amid the outbreak. For example, ImagineIF Libraries recently announced library locations will be closed until March 28 as a precautionary measure to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“As more people come to our spaces, we are going to need more food, so we really hope the public can donate,” Horn said. “Our motto has always been that we take care of each other here. And I think we are going to, but there is still a lot of uncertainty around the virus, so I think that is obviously making people nervous to share.”

Quinn and others say organizations that cater specifically to youth may come under additional stress as well as schools statewide are ordered to temporarily shut down. Nonprofits such as Sparrow’s Nest, which assists homeless high schoolers in the valley, may become more inundated with kids in need who are no longer attending regular classes.

Many local organizations will post “needs lists” on websites and social media platforms. If the public is able and willing to donate, they are highly encouraged to do so.

A post on North Valley Food Bank’s Facebook page states the organization will distribute food during normal times this week. These hours are Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Thursday noon to 3 p.m. Food will be distributed in the bank’s parking lot using a “shortened intake process.” The announcement also states “if you are sick, elderly, or have a compromised immune system,” contact Amy at 406-862-5863 and staff and volunteers will make arrangements.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com