LDS food drive gathers donations one bag at a time

The annual food drive organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Polson took place last Wednesday, Dec. 10, and volunteers collected just under 11,000 pounds of food. 

The drive is coordinated with support from the Bridge Church and first responders from Polson Rural Fire, Polson City Fire, Polson City Police, and the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The event brought a festive burst of brilliant lights to town as Christmas-decorated floats or “Christmas sleds” moved slowly along their assigned routes, preceded by a fire truck and followed by a police car, with sirens occasionally announcing the opportunity to share. It was quite a spectacle – despite the rain.

The night before, volunteers had distributed 3,500 empty bags with invitations to donate food or a quality used coat. The town was divided into six routes, along with one mystery route and two drop-box locations.

About 175 people followed assigned routes, going door-to-door collecting bags of food. Last year's event yielded more than 10,000 pounds of food (and 150 coats), with at least 1,000 pounds more were gathered this year, one bag at a time from the local community for the local community. The routes began at the church and ended at the Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry.

Bishop Ryan Gage of Polson's first LDS ward welcomed the crowd of volunteers , encouraging everyone to feel the joy as they “come together as a body of Christ to help others in our community as we celebrate the birth of the Savior.”

Bishop Jeff Green, of Polson's second ward, reminded participants that God "sends joy both to those who give and to those who receive."

Brent Bowman has been the driving force behind the event for 14 years. "Christ served the individual," he said. "We're just doing the kind of thing Christ would do if he were here."

The first food drive began as a youth activity to get kids focused on giving Christlike service. That initial effort yielded about 400 pounds of food for the Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry.

The event has become a local tradition. “It’s not Christmas without the food drive – I’ve been told that many times over the years," said Bowman.

Pastor Jason Burrough of Bridge Church played Santa for the second year in a row. He represents a small Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation with a big vision. They host a family-style dinner on Sunday nights at 5 p.m. at the church across from Montana Marbled Meats at 46873 US Hwy 93, Polson.

For those who missed last Wednesday's event, a drop box for donations is available at Super One through Jan. 1.

    Pastor Jason Burrough of Bridge Church, with his daughters River (left) and Reign, took his second turn as Santa during last Wednesday's LDS food drive in Polson. (Michael Umphrey photo)
  

    Brent Bowman has organized and directed the LDS food drive for 14 years. (Michael Umphrey photo)
  

    Thousands of pounds of canned goods, donated by the Polson community, landed at Polson Loaves and Fish last Wednesday night during an annual food drive spearheaded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Michael Umphrey photo)