A few dedicated Whitefish Lions Club members were gardening all spring, summer and fall to donate heaps of produce to local organizations this growing season. 

“We start planting in May,” said Lynn Rochard, longtime Lions Club member. “We grow all sorts of greens, root crops like beets, carrots, potatoes and onions, lots of tomatoes, and varieties of beans and snow peas.” 

Over 300 pounds of onions and 50 gallons of beans were just a couple of highlights of this year’s harvest. 

The Whitefish Lions Club has a legacy of gardening over the years. They used to grow food for the Whitefish School District kitchen on the high school’s property, but that program ended when the school built the Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. 

Josh Joubert, a local property owner, offered the Lions a ready-to-plant space for their use in 2023, and the Lion Club’s gardeners were up and planting again.  

Much of the produce is delivered to Land to Hand’s community fridges and backpack programs in Columbia Falls and Whitefish, which Rochard said is enjoyable to deliver. 

The Whitefish community fridge was a recent addition this summer thanks to a generous donation from a Lions Club member. The fridge is located at Land to Hand’s office at 311 E. First St. in Whitefish. 

“In addition to Josh Joubert's generosity, we have a few other folks to thank,” Rochard said. “Hans Helmstetler of Snow Country Gardens contributed potato starts to our efforts, as well as Ellen and Andrew Mering of 3 4 5 Farm, who donated various vegetable starts again this year,” Rochard said. Volunteers Hal Trost and Kathy and Karl Cozad have been dedicated gardeners all season, Rochard said.  

The mission of Lions Clubs is to serve, and they are always welcoming new members. The Whitefish Lions Club meets at noon at Pin & Cue in Whitefish on the first and third Wednesday of the month. More information can be found on their Facebook page.