On January 11, 1982, HRDC took a major step toward fighting food insecurity by launching our Gallatin Valley Emergency Food Bank. In our first year alone, we served 549 households—nearly 1,500 people—providing critical emergency food assistance.
This effort was made possible by a dedicated team led by Mary Martin through a VISTA project, along with key developments such as the passage of Montana’s Good Faith Donor Act, which encouraged food donations, and commitments from major supermarkets to contribute unsellable but still nutritious food. Additionally, a rental agreement with Gallatin County secured a small house in downtown Bozeman as our food bank’s first location.
What started as a small operation has become a cornerstone of regional food security. Over the years, HRDC has expanded our work to alleviate hunger to keep pace with the community’s evolving needs, opening satellite sites and launching vital programs including the Livingston Food Resource Center, Gardiner Food Pantry, KidsPack, Summer Lunch, Senior Groceries, and Fork & Spoon to ensure greater access to nutritious food for all.
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