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NorthWestern Energy donates $500,000 to help low income customers in Montana struggling with rising energy costs.

NorthWestern Energy http://www.northwesternenergy.com/ has announced three donations totaling $500,000 to help low income customers in Montana struggling with rising energy costs.

NorthWestern is donating $200,000 to home weatherization for low-income residents through Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s Warm Homes Warm Hearts program. Schweitzer has recently released $1 million in emergency funds for low-income weatherization.

NorthWestern also donated $200,000 to Energy Share of Montana and $100,000 to the Montana Food Bank Network.

Energy Share is a nonprofit group that helps people facing energy emergencies.

Full Story: http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?s=8868183

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$100,000 NorthWestern Energy Donation Supports the Montana Food Bank Network’s Efforts to Provide More Food

The Montana Food Bank Network’s http://www.mfbn.org resources have been severely strained as more people find themselves less able to pay the increased cost of gas and food. Last month the Montana Food Bank Network put out a call for help to anyone who could assist with food donations to help supply the 189 emergency food programs it serves.

“While individual donations have increased, a black cloud still looms over the horizon as the cold weather season approaches and families must spend more of their food dollars on gas and home heating fuel,” says Peggy Grimes, the Network’s Executive Director. “There is increased stress on Montana households as more middle income families are forced to visit their local food pantry to provide food for their family,” says Grimes.

In answer to their call, NorthWestern Energy stepped up to provide $100,000 for the Montana Food Bank Network to distribute more food. “This significant donation from NorthWestern Energy will keep the Montana Food Bank Network’s trucks on the road picking up food from around the nation and delivering it to communities all across Montana,” Grimes says. However, donations of food are becoming scarce as food manufacturers and distributors are tightening their belts. Grimes says the Network has to purchase more of the food it supplies to its agencies.

Lori Botkin, Director of the Flathead Food Bank says “in the first six months of this year we provided food boxes to 7,152 households in Flathead County. This compares to the 6,384 households served during this same period last year.” “We’re seeing more and more families who never thought they’d have to use a food pantry,” says Botkin.

Chuck Hoge, a member of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank Board of Directors for twelve years, stated that the need is increasing. “For example” says Hoge, “in May of this year in Bozeman, 924 families were served by the Gallatin Valley Food Bank in comparison to 600 families during the same month last year.” “More middle class families and seniors are coming in,” he says. Hoge is afraid his organization may have to cut back food allowances from 5 days to 3 days.

The NorthWestern Energy donation comes at a crucial time for the emergency food system. The agencies served by the Montana Food Bank Network have seen overall a 12% increase in visits over last year. “We’re very grateful for the generosity of NorthWestern Energy,” Peggy Grimes said. “They not only donated $100,000 to help us, but they also donated funds that will further assist the clients we serve by providing dollars to offset their home heating bills this winter.” NorthWestern Energy donated a total of $500,000 to assist Montana’s low-income households. Energy Share of Montana received $200,000 and the Low–Income Weatherization Program (part of the Governor’s Warm Homes – Warm Hearts Program) received $200,000 to help low-income families weatherize their homes to provide better energy efficiency.

“The generous donation provided by NorthWestern Energy is much appreciated,” stated Grimes. “However, there is still so much more that needs to be done. As more people find themselves at the doorstep of a local food pantry or soup kitchen, we must have the food to provide for their families. We’re asking anyone who can to help. We’ve even asked the Governor to do what he can to help feed our people,” says Grimes.

The Montana Food Bank Network secures and distributes nearly 4 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.mfbn.org.

CONTACT:

Peggy Grimes, Executive Director

Montana Food Bank Network

5625 Expressway

Missoula, MT 59808

406-721-3825, ext 225

[email protected]

http://www.mfbn.org

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