It is a root vegetable native to the Americas, a starchy tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, and the plant itself, a perennial in the family Solanaceae.

WHAT?

We call them spuds or ‘taters and they are even known as Murphys in Ireland. They are potatoes and 40,000 pounds of them were recently delivered to those in need, from those who continue to serve.

“I would say that a desire to help and a love for our communities would be the inspiration for doing this but then again that’s what we do as veterans when we come together to make things happen.... I think it’s in our DNA,” is what David Williams said when asked what inspired them to take on this assignment.

“During a conference call with other veteran organizations, we were told that United States Of Hope had been asked to help give away 40,000 pounds of potatoes and they wanted to know if we would like to partner with them for this event. Without hesitation we agreed to help coordinate and organize it.”

Williams is the founder and president of Joint Operation Mariposa, which is a veteran’s advocate organization based in Plains. He said that the 20 tons of potatoes were donated by Rep. Walt Sales who is a farmer/rancher in Manhattan.

Drop off locations started in Missoula, then to Lolo, west to Superior and back to Plains with Thompson Falls and Noxon the next day.

Rep. Denley Loge met the truck at the Mineral County Food Bank in Superior and delivered 100 pounds to Scott Burrows with American Legion Post 13 in St. Regis for distribution there and in the west end.

Some may recall that Mariposa and Steele Toe Distillery in Potomac were responsible for making and delivering hand sanitizer when the realization that this commodity was scarce in March. Well more sanitizer was also along for the ride but this time from Wild Rye Distillery in Bozeman.

Plus, the Quilts of Valor Foundation with five locations in Montana made masks for all of the volunteers and the Missoula Fire Department and the Helena Fire Department washed the potatoes before the delivery.

This entire ordeal was organized in only two days with three days of execution. This is another example of Montanans helping one another when the going gets rough.

But it is also a sign of the troubles that our Montana farmers and ranchers are having due to this pandemic as well.

Many crops and other products are not selling as expected or sitting idle as many wonder what, and when, the next recovery chapter will happen.