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Our Store
The Missoula Food Bank, located at 219 S. 3rd St. West, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 1 pm, and Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5-7 pm.
The first and primary way that Missoula Food Bank works to provide food to those who need it is through our main facility, or "Our Store." Set up like a small, free grocery store, Missoula Food Bank allows clients to browse the selection we have every day — made up of purchased staple items, donated nonperishable foods, and the perishable goods that are donated by local grocers every morning.
When a client comes to Missoula Food Bank, he or she fills out a short intake form. This form is completely confidential, and is used internally to allow us to paint an accurate picture of hunger in this community. It is important to know that there are no hoops to leap through on this form. While this survey asks about housing, income, and other services, there are no right or wrong answers, and no clients are disqualified because of their responses. Simply coming through our doors is a statement of need, and we will work to meet that need.
After completing the survey, a client spends a few minutes with one of our wonderful volunteer interviewers. The purpose of the interview is to answer any questions the client might have about our services, and also to make the client aware of other potentially helpful resources in Missoula. During the interview, clients can receive information about special Missoula Food Bank programs, the Food Stamp Program, health care options, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, child care programs, and many other services.
When they are done with the interview, our clients receive shopping lists that dictate how many of each item they can take on this visit. A family of six, for instance, can take more food than a single individual. In addition to the staple items (dry items like rice, beans, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, and cans or jars of peanut butter, tuna fish, vegetables, fruit, beans, tomato sauce), we often have donated meats, deli items, produce, dairy items and baked goods that our clients can select.
Each client can go through our whole facility once per month. If a client comes twice in the same calendar month, they can receive perishable goods on their second visit.
Individuals served in 2005:
- Separate unduplicated Individuals: 12,689
- Duplicated Individuals (visits): 36,825
- Total Served including other sites/programs: 41,785
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