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Offers To Help Fix Truck Pour in From Around Montana – Generosity of Concerned Citizens Stuns Staff

After local news agencies across the state announced that one of Montana Food Bank Network’s http://www.montanafoodbanknetwork.org key semi-trucks had blown an engine and would require upwards of $15,000 to repair, concerned citizens from communities across Montana stepped up to help. Phone calls, letters and even offers to drive a load poured into the Network offices. Staff members took calls for everything from a five-dollar cash donation from a senior citizen in Bozeman, to a church that raised $312 by passing a hat, to a Billings business owner who offered a used truck to sell below cost.

“We were overjoyed at the response,” said Peggy Grimes, Executive Director of the Montana Food Bank Network. “The generosity of people, particularly during the holidays, is a testament to the concern Montanans have for their neighbors in need. People are supportive of our work all year long but the additional support during this time has been especially appreciated.”

When everything was sorted out, the best course of action was to fix the engine in the current truck and hope that it lasts a little longer. A Missoula trucking company donated the labor to repair the truck and cash donations were collected to pay for most of the parts. However, an additional $2,500 dollars in parts is still needed to complete the engine overhaul. Because the engine already has 600,000 miles on it, the truck will have to be replaced in the near future before additional costly repairs are needed warned the mechanic working on the vehicle.

One of our concerns had been the ability to collect food into our warehouse for the new year. Since hearing about our situation, Wal-Mart has donated a truck load of food coming from their Las Vegas distribution center and Country Pasta in Polson has donated two truck loads.

MFBN would like to thank all those generous Montanans who have called, dropped off money and food and offers to assist getting food delivered. There is still time to help and anyone who would like to make a donation toward the truck can call Grimes at (406) 721-3825 or send their donation directly to the Montana Food Bank Network,

5625 Expressway, Missoula, 59802. All donations are tax-deductible.

The Montana Food Bank Network, located at 5625 Expressway, secures and distributes nearly 3.5 million pounds of donated and low cost food and grocery products annually to 189 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana. The Network works to meet the immediate need for food while advocating at the local, state, and national level for policy changes to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity in Montana. The Montana Food Bank Network is a member of America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network. For more on the Montana Food Bank Network, please visit http://www.montanafoodbanknetwork.org.

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Montana Food Bank Network loses crucial semi for deliveries. Anyone got a BIG RIG???? http://matr.net/article-26945.html

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