As Montanans gather to celebrate the seasons of gratitude and giving, it’s sobering to realize that many of our neighbors face empty cupboards and difficult choices. The 2024 Montana Food Pantry Survey, developed by the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative, Hopa Mountain, the Montana Food Bank Network, and Redwing Research, paints a stark picture of rising food insecurity across our state. These findings call for urgent action to ensure no family or senior wonders where their next meal will come from.
Hunger is a growing concern in Montana, especially among families and seniors. Recent data indicates that approximately one in nine Montanans now faces food insecurity, a 3% increase from last year. Seniors are particularly affected, with nearly 12 million adults aged 50 and over experiencing food insecurity nationwide in 2022.
Local food pantries are vital in addressing this crisis, providing essential support to those in need. This holiday season, we encourage you to visit your local food pantry to see their impact firsthand. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy—can make a significant difference. Together, we can ensure that no Montanan, especially our seniors, faces hunger alone.
The Montana Food Pantry Survey, which included 94 food pantries, reveals that demand for food assistance continues to rise. Since 2020, 84% of pantries reported a significant increase in demand, driven largely by families and seniors. This surge has coincided with mounting challenges—insufficient funding, rising costs, and a shortage of volunteers. With 93% of food pantries relying on private donations, many face precarious financial futures as funding fluctuates.
Food pantries are more than sources of nourishment; they are lifelines for families in need. Yet, many operate with threadbare infrastructure and minimal staff. A lack of adequate storage, transportation, and supply chain reliability are just a few of the obstacles these vital organizations face. As one pantry manager explained, “We only have two small refrigerators and lack the space to handle large volumes of food.” These limitations underscore the need for stronger community support.
Solutions Rooted in Community
Collaboration and investment are critical to addressing these challenges. Organizations like the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative have shown how partnerships with local businesses, tribal entities, and farmers can amplify efforts to meet growing demand.
Regional initiatives, such as quarterly meetings in Northwest Montana where food access partners share resources and advocate together, offer effective blueprints.
However, addressing food insecurity goes beyond pantry walls. It intersects with broader issues such as affordable housing, economic stability, and employment opportunities. Tackling these systemic issues will require bold action from all corners—policymakers, businesses, and everyday community members.
The Montana Food Pantry Collaborative works on combining resources and shared capacity support statewide. Another approach is showcased in NW Montana where they have established regional community of practice meetings since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every quarter, they meet with all the food bank and food access partners from Flathead, Lincoln and Glacier County. They are sharing donations, purchasing local food in bulk together and working on shared advocacy strategies.
The survey also highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration with local farmers, businesses, and tribal entities to build a more resilient food system. Further, food pantries need to diversify their funding streams, including pursuing public sector support at various levels. Strengthening partnerships with local businesses and donors could provide essential financial backing. Increased funding for paid staff at smaller pantries could help alleviate the burden on overextended volunteers and improve operational efficiency. Investments in infrastructure—such as refrigeration units and storage facilities— is critical to provide sustainable services.
As Montana continues to grow, so must its food security systems. The findings from the 2024 Montana Food Pantry Survey illustrate both the critical needs and the potential for impactful change. Addressing food insecurity requires a comprehensive approach that includes strategic investments, enhanced collaboration, and robust support systems. By recognizing the intersection of food security with broader social issues—such as economic stability, affordable housing, and employment opportunities—policymakers and community members can develop more inclusive solutions. Ensuring that Montana’s food pantries are well-equipped to meet the rising demands of their communities will help build a more equitable and resilient food system, ensuring that none goes to bed hungry.
Why Your Support Matters – the voice of a Food Pantry team member
“When you get involved, you change lives – we know the families who rely on our local food pantry, the ones who walk through the doors feeling the weight of uncertainty and
leave with hope. Because of people like you, pantries in communities like ours have become more than a place to get food—they’ve become lifelines. Through partnerships and investments in food security, you help us access not just meals for visitors, but also provide the dignity and stability needed to keep going. With your support, efforts like these will continue to spread across Montana, ensuring no family faces hunger alone.
We see the difference community members can make, and we’re deeply grateful.”
A Shared Commitment
Increasing food security is not just about filling plates—it’s about empowering communities to build resilience, foster connections, and reclaim their future. Across Montana’s food pantry landscape, grassroots efforts demonstrate the extraordinary impact of community-driven solutions. By investing in local food pantries and supporting food security initiatives, we not only address hunger but also strengthen the fabric of our state. The urgency is clear: as economic challenges persist; it is our collective responsibility to champion solutions that work. Together, we have the power to ensure that no Montanan goes hungry, and every community thrives.
In Montana, the rising rates of food insecurity among families and elders are alarming, with small communities like those in the Jocko Valley seeing increasing need. Seniors, who often live on fixed incomes, are particularly vulnerable as they face higher food and utility costs. Local food pantries have become essential lifelines, bridging the gap for those who need just a little help to make it through the month. This holiday season, you can make a difference by visiting your local food pantry—whether to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about their impact. Together, we can ensure that no elder or family in Montana has to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. E5P
Visit www.mtfpc.org or contact a member of the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative Organizing Committee (emails provided below) to learn more about statewide initiatives, findings of the 2024 Montana Food Pantry Survey, or to connect with a pantry in your region. Together, we can ensure every Montanan has a place at the table.
