Montana

In a Nutshell: Montana food pantries collaborate on creative solutions to rising food insecurity

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2024

In a Nutshell: Montana food pantries collaborate on creative solutions to rising food insecurity

Last week, Montanans from across the state came together for the third annual Local Food for Local Families Summit, hosted by Hopa Mountain, at Arrowpeak Lodge in Highwood, MT. The meeting brings together Montana food hubs, producers and food pantries.

One of the past summit successes was the formation of the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative to increase collaborative work across the state, increase our food purchasing power and create a unified approach to addressing food insecurity and its root causes in our communities. The collaborative meets monthly and has been able to establish an online pantry resource hub for capacity building. North Valley Food Bank serves on the Steering Committee and our choice model operating procedures as well as our efficient food hub logistics have become an example for food pantries across the state.

This summer, the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative collaborated with Hopa Mountain, the Montana Food Bank Network and Redwing Research to develop and disseminate a Montana Food Pantry Survey. Ninety-four food pantries participated, and the results show that 1. the demand for food assistance continues to rise across the state, and 2. the most common challenges in operations and funding are similar for all participants.

Eighty-four percent of pantries reported a significant rise in the number of individuals served since 2020. Most often new customers were families or seniors. Other major challenges included decreased funding opportunities and increased operational costs. Ninety-three percent of pantries rely on private donations as their main funding source and nearly half of the surveyed pantries experienced significant fluctuations in funding availability. Issues such as increased operational costs and a shortage of volunteers were also frequently mentioned.

Most common operational struggles included insufficient storage, no transportation, and supply chain disruptions. One survey participant shared an urgent need for infrastructure improvements: “We only have two small refrigerators and lack the space to handle large volumes of food.” These limitations impact the efficiency of food distribution and the overall quality of service.

Collaborations between pantries and with local businesses are the key solution to solving these issues. The Montana Food Pantry Collaborative can work on combining resources and shared capacity support statewide. Another approach is to establish regional community of practice meetings like we have done in NW Montana since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every quarter, we meet with all our food bank and food access partners from Flathead, Lincoln and Glacier County. We share donations, purchase local food in bulk together and work 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 no one goes to bed hungry.

In closing, I think of a fellow food pantry manager from a rural community in East Montana. She closed our last Local Food Summit meeting with the following words: “I often think I dream too much, but here I feel like our dreams are possible!”

To learn more about the Montana Food Pantry Collaborative or the 2024 Montana Food Pantry Survey, visit https://www.mtfpc.org or reach out to sophie@northvalleyfoodbank.org.

Source link

Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for May 13, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing

22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from May 13 drawing

17-18-28-37-42, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 13 drawing

02-06-10-16, Bonus: 16

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 13 drawing

08-13-39-63-66, Powerball: 02

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from May 13 drawing

02-04-13-17-32

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 13 drawing

21-24-29-42-49, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Montana

Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin

Published

20 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Public Meeting at Hub on Smith Concerning Montana Water Call Prompting Priority Administration in Tongue Basin

Wyoming State Engineer Brandon Gebhart announced that on May 5, 2026, the State of Montana placed a call under Article V(A) of the Yellowstone River Compact to fill Tongue River Reservoir in Montana. As a result, priority administration is in effect on post-1950 water rights in Wyoming that divert water from the Tongue River and its tributaries and are not excluded from the compact.

A public meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the dining room of The Hub on Smith. Attendees are asked to enter on the north side of the building.

The Tongue River Basin has been experiencing drought conditions over the past year with historically low winter snowpack and streamflow conditions. According to the release, those conditions led to Montana’s interstate call and prompted the administration of the Tongue River Basin in Wyoming.

The priority administration will affect post-1950 water rights within the Tongue River Basin, including reservoir storage, stream diversions and groundwater withdrawals, all of which affect river flows. Post-1950 water rights will be regulated off or prevented from turning on. Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners will continue to administer reservoir storage and post-1950 diversions throughout the spring and work with affected water users until the administration is lifted.

As provided in the compact, domestic uses less than one-half acre in area and livestock uses, including stock reservoirs less than 20 acre-feet in capacity, are excluded from this administration. The release noted these excluded rights could be subject to future regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

Beginning May 5, 2026, Wyoming hydrographer-commissioners have worked to record the current storage levels of reservoirs with post-1950 water rights. Going forward, those reservoirs can continue to accrue storage so long as post-1950 storage gained after the interstate call on May 5 remains in storage until either the water is released to satisfy the Montana call or Montana lifts the call because Tongue River Reservoir will fill.

Reservoirs with unfulfilled pre-1950 water rights can continue to store water and that storage will not be subject to release to satisfy Montana’s call. However, that storage and other direct flow rights could be subject to regulation to satisfy priority calls by senior Wyoming water rights.

The priority administration will be carried out pursuant to state law by hydrographer-commissioners assigned to various portions of the Tongue River Basin, working under the direction of Division II Superintendent David Schroeder.

The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office can be contacted at:

Jack Morey, deputy state engineer, 307-777-5032, jack.morey2@wyo.gov

David Schroeder, Division II superintendent, 307-674-7012, d.schroeder@wyo.gov

Jeff Cowley, interstate streams administrator, 307-777-1942, jeff.cowley@wyo.gov

Source link

Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for May 12, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 12 drawing

17-32-35-40-47, Mega Ball: 17

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 12 drawing

04-12-17-24, Bonus: 11

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 12 drawing

19-21-35-38-53, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link