Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – This week, the Montana Food Bank Network, along with partners Albertsons and Safeway introduced their Campaign for Bigger Impact to help raise the $3 million left in their $15 million capital campaign.

I spoke with Bill Matthews, Chief Development Officer about the continuing fundraising campaign.

The Montana Food Bank Network hopes to Raise the Remaining $3 Million

“At the Montana Food Bank Network, we’ve been working on a project for the last few years,” began Matthews. “It’s actually a silent phase of our capital campaign to build a new facility here in Missoula, to really expand our operations across the state, to have more food storage and more food distribution across the state, to our food banks and food pantries in every nook and cranny of the state of Montana in all 56 counties where we operate.”

Matthews detailed the impact that the Montana Food Bank Network has on the hungry in Montana.

Matthews Detailed the Alarming Statistics on Hunger in Montana

“One in nine Montanans don’t have enough food on the table, and that includes one in six children, so the need is just getting greater all the time,” he said. “The Montana Food Bank Network is the only statewide food bank in the state, and we distribute food to over 360 network partners that and that includes food banks, food pantries, schools, senior centers, shelters, and tribal centers.”

Along with shopping at participating Albertsons and Safeway stores in Missoula and throughout the state, Matthews provided more ways to help the MFBN reach its goal.

READ MORE: Montana Food Bank Network Receives Large Food Donation

Visit the Montana Food Bank Network’s Website for more Details

“People can go to our website,” he said. “We’re going to have posters up in all 40 stores across the state, and they’re going to help out through social media and their own websites to direct people to our donation page for the project itself. So, that’s what’s really going on over the next three months, which will really help out.”

The new facility is expected to be completed by July, 2025.

Affordable living in Montana. Now that may sound like something that seems impossible, especially if you are looking to move to certain areas like Bozeman, Kalispell, or Missoula. Thankfully, there are still towns/cities that are making national news for being the most affordable/cheapest to live in, in the United States.

A top name in finance, Kiplinger Personal Finance, has come out with a list of the 25 cheapest cities to live in throughout the U.S. and one Montana city has made the list. This city came in at #16!

It really wasn’t a surprise when reading the list to see this city on it. There are so many things to do in and around this city, it’s no wonder people are starting to flock there.

What city in Montana made the list for one of the one of the cheapest cities to live in, in the U.S.?

Great Falls

Great Falls has over 60 parks and 52 miles of River’s Edge Trail along the scenic Missouri River. Not only that, but when you are walking the land in Great Falls, you are walking among the history of the Blackfeet Indians and Lewis and Clark.

With a population of a little over 60k, Great Falls is actually the third largest city in Montana. Great Falls is ideal for any outdoor enthusiast that loves hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, skiing and more.

GREAT FALLS BAR NAMED BEST ON PLANET EARTH BY GQ

You will find yourself within driving distance to both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Full of local restaurants and cafes, you will have some of the most delicious food all while supporting the community. Do yourself a favor and give Great Falls a visit, you will most likely understand how it made the list of top 25 cheapest cities to live in, in the U.S.

cc: Kiplinger Personal Finance

Residents of Montana could be hit by unseasonably cold weather and snow starting on Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) has reported.

Montanans in some parts of the state can expect chilly temperatures and snow throughout Sunday and into early next week. Winter weather advisories are in place across numerous areas currently, while temperatures are expected to drop close to or below freezing.

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From 6 p.m. on Sunday, those in Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, and Northwest Beaverhead County can expect up to 7 inches of “heavy, wet snow,” particularly at higher elevations above 6,000 feet, according to a winter weather advisory issued by the NWS.

“Travel could be difficult, especially on backcountry roads. Those in the backcountry should ensure they have appropriate knowledge and gear and may want to consider alternate plans,” the advisory reads. “The heavy, wet nature of snow can bring down tree limbs and power lines.”

Another advisory warns of 6 inches of snow for those in the East Glacier Park Region and along the Southern Rocky Mountain Front, particularly in areas between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. Both advisories are currently in place until Tuesday evening.

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Those in Missoula and Bitterroot Valley are also subject to a winter storm watch advisory, with 3 inches of heavy, wet snow expected to fall on Sunday night through to Monday morning. During the same period, 1 to 5 inches of snow is forecast at Georgetown Lake, Macdonald Pass and along Highway 12, with five to 12 inches possible in the highest terrain.

Similar conditions are also expected overnight on Sunday along several roads, including the I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, Highway 200 from Bonner to Greenough, and Highway 83 from Seeley Lake to Condon. Motorists are encouraged to “slow down and use caution” while on the road.

Residents of the areas covered by the warnings are warned of the risk of hypothermia if heading out unprepared, with temperatures expected to drop to the low 30s. Overnight, the NWS X, formerly Twitter, account said “temperatures will be dropping into the 30s tonight across valley areas,” which could also have an adverse effect on plants as frost forms.

While Montanans feel the chill, other parts of the U.S. are expecting more predictable warm weather for this time of year. Excessive heat watch warnings are in place in the Midwest, and also Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Further south in Texas and New Mexico, heat advisories are also in place.