Grocery prices are up; anyone who goes shopping knows this. 

The United States Department of Agriculture predicts that food inflation will slow down a little, but food prices will still increase by nearly 3% in 2026, according the National Council on Aging’s website, ncoa.org. Grocery shoppers know this, since they see prices for ground beef at $7.99 per pound for the 85% lean, 15% fat burger, unless it’s on sale. Many food items, including canned fruits and vegetables, even crackers, have increased in price.

The November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit halted during the federal government’s six-week shutdown. Suddenly some folks didn’t know how they’d feed their children or themselves. When SNAP partial or full payments resumed, no one knew when or how much help they’d receive. Food insecurity was rampant, including in the Mission Valley.

Food pantries in local communities geared up to “do the best they could with what they had.”

People donated money and/or food to pantries in Ronan, St. Ignatius, Polson, Hot Springs and Elmo. Town Pump continued its Charitable Foundation’s annual Help Those in Need fundraiser, providing matching funds for food banks. Town Pump also awarded grants to support the Meals for Backpacks Program, which serves students.

Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry thanked all the gardeners and orchard owners who shared fresh produce and fruit with them. In Ronan, the Bread Basket received a 200-pound beef boost from the Western Montana Stockmen’s Association.

Polson churches are helping too, some by continuing to host Friday night dinners open to the public from 5 to 6 p.m. on a rotating basis. First Friday’s meal is served at the Mission Church on Fair Meadow Lane; second Friday, First Presbyterian Church on Fourth Ave. E.; third Friday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, also on Fourth Ave.; fourth Friday, JourneyBe on Seventh Ave. W.; and fifth Friday, Polson Community Church on First St. E.

The Bridge Church north of Polson offers a continental breakfast before its Sunday morning service and “Dinner Church” on Sunday evenings at 5 p.m. followed by a worship service. Pastor Jason Burrough said they were serving tacos last Sunday evening.

Community member Dana Gillis started a food pantry in her garage during the SNAP crisis, and now the Bridge Church has unloaded Gillis’ garage and distributes the food from The Bridge.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Polson holds an annual food and warm coat drive in December and Bishop Ryan Gage Of Ward 1 recruited Pastor Burrough to be Santa Claus on one of the trailers. This year’s event raised more than 11,000 pounds of food for the Polson pantry.

JourneyB’s members were so concerned, they decided to set up a warming station in their fellowship hall and serve coffee in the mornings to unhoused people or those walking their kids to school. They also got together on Sundays after church and prepared and froze nutritious meals people could microwave if they were running short of food.

The small church also received a donation of rice and dried beans to help plump up their pantry. Now the freezer is stocked with beans and rice, taco soup, spaghetti and sauce, and muffins.

Life for the Nation Church in Ronan serves lunch every Sunday after church.

“We enjoy eating together,” Pastor Chad Hoffman said, and walk-ins are welcome.

According to the pastor, breaking bread lets conversation start and relationships begin. Many good people around the valley do things to help meet needs with nothing said, he added.

These anecdotes are just skimming the surface of all the neighborliness and caring that goes on daily in the Mission Valley. 

If your church or group didn’t get mentioned, I’m sorry. This column is meant to remind everyone who lives in this green pocket of loveliness that we’re surrounded by caring, helpful people who know how to lend a hand and will.