Business newsmakers

Whitefish Credit Union expands membership

Whitefish Credit Union is expanding its membership to include 16 additional Montana counties.

Membership is now open to individuals and businesses who live, work, operate, own property, worship, participate in an association, or attend school in counties covering the greater Billings, Butte, and Great Falls areas.

“We see this membership expansion as an important milestone in advancing Whitefish Credit Union’s mission and growth plan,” said James Kenyon, President and CEO of Whitefish Credit Union. “We’ve consistently heard from individuals and businesses in these communities who want to be part of our cooperative. This expansion gives us the opportunity to serve them directly, with the trusted, member first approach that has defined Whitefish Credit Union for generations.”

The credit union received approval from the Division of Banking and Financial Institutions of the state of Montana for its request to expand. The credit union board also ratified a new charter to include the counties. 

Prior to this expansion, the field of membership included the greater Northwest Montana region, as well as the Missoula, Helena, and Bozeman areas. 

The updated field of membership now includes areas representing approximately 85% of Montana’s population. Membership is now open to residents of 25 designated counties.

Flathead Food Bank Receives $25,000 donation 

Flathead Food Bank recently received a $25,000 gift from First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation as part of their fourth-annual Believe in Local grant campaign.

In 2020, the food bank distributed over 3.4 million pounds of food — twice as much as the year before. 

“We are truly humbled by this generous donation,” said Chris Sidmore, executive director of Flathead Food Bank. “It comes at a time when the need in our community has never been greater.”

Several of First Interstate’s Kalispell employees, including Market President Brenden Craig, Teller Supervisor Heather Ore, Commercial Group Manager Scott Nicholson, Teller Kari Johnson, Financial Services Representative Whitney Hansen, and Financial Services Representative Randee Carns, nominated Flathead Food Bank for the donation.

 “Our Believe in Local grant campaign embodies the Bank’s core values,” Craig said, “celebrating nonprofit organizations like Flathead Food Bank that make a significant, positive impact in our community. I am excited for them to receive this special grant, helping make the Flathead Valley a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry gets donation 

T-Mobile has provided a grant to Evergreen’s Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry and Stand Down as one of its latest 25 Hometown Grant recipients. 

The $50,000 grant will go toward installing a veteran’s memorial at the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down food pantry and community center, recognizing military service veterans and increasing awareness of existing community outreach programs for veterans and the community. 

 The organization was selected from nearly 1,000 applicants this round. Across Montana, T-Mobile has now provided nearly $300,000 to six cities through the initiative, including Evergreen.

 “As a community-centered news organization, we regularly witness the impact that the NW MT Veterans Food Pantry has on local families,” said Anton Kaufer, regional publisher for the Daily Inter Lake and Hagadone Media Montana. “Their work goes far beyond food distribution; they provide dignity, support, and connection to those who have served. This proposed memorial aligns perfectly with that mission and will enhance the visibility, accessibility, and emotional resonance of the facility.”  

The food pantry provides many vital resources and services to the veteran community such as, food pantry, clothing program, shower services, laundry services, household move in kits, social services, peer to peer coaching, community resource liaison, employment counseling and drug and alcohol recovery referrals.  

Since 2021, T-Mobile has invested nearly $18 million in Hometown Grants to 400 communities across 48 states and Puerto Rico.

Logan Health Medical Center ranked top hospital in Montana for community benefit

Logan Health Medical Center has been named the No. 1 hospital in Montana for Community Benefit and received “A” grades in several key categories of social responsibility on the Lown Institute’s 2025 list of America’s Most Socially Responsible Hospitals. 

Published by the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan and independent health care think tank, the 2025 Lown Index evaluates more than 3,600 hospitals and 300 health systems nationwide on equity, value, and outcomes — measuring a hospital’s total impact beyond clinical care.

 The Lown Index considers factors such as charity care, community health initiatives, support for underserved populations, and outcomes that promote fairness and access.

In addition to being ranked first in Montana for Community Benefit, LHMC received “A” grades in the following categories: Social Responsibility, Value of Care, Patient Outcomes, Clinical Outcomes, Community Benefit, Avoiding Overuse and Cost Efficiency.

“At Logan Health, our mission is to provide quality, compassionate care for all, and this recognition reflects that commitment in action,” said Kevin Abel, CEO of Logan Health. “Being named the top hospital in Montana for community benefit is especially meaningful because we take great pride in delivering care that aligns with both our mission and our responsibility to the communities we serve. Social responsibility is at the heart of who we are. From investing in underserved populations to supporting long-term health initiatives, our team continues to go above and beyond to serve our communities.”

To learn more about Logan Health’s community impact, visit www.logan.org/community.

    Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry