Help Dump Hunger in Missoula

This Saturday, Jan. 28, I’ll be at the Albertsons store on South Russell in Missoula from 10AM to 1PM. I’ll be asking you to stop by and help with a food drive called “Dump Hunger.” Western States CAT, Albertsons and Wells Fargo are partnering up to collect food for our local food banks.

With a goal to generate awareness and fill the bed of four CAT 730 dump trucks by collecting 300,000 pounds of food, each company involved with Dump Hunger will support local communities throughout the Intermountain West by supporting food banks at the most critical time of year. Donations to the campaign can be taken to any Western States locations, participating Albertsons stores or Wells Fargo locations and online at www.westernstatescat.com/dumphunger.

“Dump Hunger has played a crucial role in stocking our shelves in years past,” said Jessica Allred,community relations director for Missoula Food Bank. “This year, though, the drive is particularly important. After a two-year plateau in client usage, in 2011 Missoula Food Bank experienced a stark 9 percent increase in the need for emergency food assistance locally. We hope that this year’s Dump Hunger campaign will help us to fill that gap.”

In addition to customer food donations, Albertsons will contribute $20,000 in food items and Wells Fargo will donate $20,000 cash to the participating food bank partners involved with Dump Hunger. Western States will contribute $1 for every 5 pounds of food collected, up to a $15,000 dollar match.

Items of greatest need:

Every donation makes a difference, as many regional food banks are experiencing an increase of 30 percent or more in requests for help compared to last year. While specific needs vary, each food bank can use the following items: