New Warehouse Opens Just in Time for Montana Food Crunch

Leaders of the Montana Food Bank Network are bringing the agency's new warehouse online just in time to meet what could be a food crisis in the coming weeks in Montana.

MFBN staff and supporters cut the ribbon yesterday on the new, 56,000 square foot warehouse in Missoula, capping 6 years of planning and progress, even during the unsettled times of the pandemic.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Weisgram says the agency is already taking advantage of the extra space.

"We had one of our largest days in the organization's history yesterday," Weisgram told me before the ribbon cutting. "We brought in almost 350,000 pounds of food in one day, 7 semi loads, and the guys did it in half the amount of time that they used to be able to do two truck loads."

In addition to more storage space, the new warehouse features state-of-the-art areas for packaging and processing donated food, including new capabilities that will allow MFBN to accept more donations of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

READ MORE: Montana SNAP Cuts Coming, but Also a New Warehouse

MFBN CEO Gayle Carlson says the timing is perfect, as the food pantries across the state face major pressure from the combined hit of the federal government shutdown, with a loss of SNAP payments, and furloughed federal workers also feeling the crunch.

"For example, we just ordered a truckload of prepackaged boxes that will now be available to our partner agencies for immediate distribution if they should need it in the next week or two," Carlson explains. "We would not have been able to do that before. So it's those emergency reserves in addition to just the expanded day-to-day warehouse capacity that we have."

    💰 The $9-million warehouse was constructed without a single dollar of government money, all supported through sponsors and donors.

Another family killed in a Montana air crash

For the second time this week, a family is mourning the loss of loved ones in a Montana aircraft accident.

The Ekalaka Eagle reports four members of an Illinois family were killed yesterday evening when a helicopter went down in Carter County. Zachary Bailey, his wife, and two children were killed when the Robinson R66 went down shortly after 7 pm. NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.

Family members say the couple's third child was not with them at the time. Bailey is the son of Darren Bailey, who is running for governor of Illinois.

Facebook flap leads to mayor's resignation

The now former Mayor of West Yellowstone is apologizing for a Facebook rant against President Trump that caused a major uproar.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle first reported on the controversy started by Jeff McBirnie, who posted an angry rant over the weekend, declaring he was "Antifa", blasting the President and his "Nazi followers."

Now, McBirnie has resigned and posted a statement saying what he posted was "mean and divisive" and that he had "clearly fallen off the tracks." He apologized to causing "such a drama."

Mercer confirmed for Montana District Court Judge

Bill Mercer will be leaving the Capitol behind and heading back to the courtroom after the confirmation of his appointment as Montana's newest U.S. District Court judge.

Mercer, a well-known Yellowstone County attorney, served for several years as the U-S Attorney for the Montana District, including during the high-profile Libby asbestos case. In addition to continuing to practice, he's been serving in the Legislature.

     Senators Daines and Sheehy believe Mercer will have a "lasting impact" on the bench.

Missoula coat drive starts as weather turns cold

The employees of the Missoula Division of Northwestern Energy are recognizing how quickly the weather is turning this fall, and are partnering with "Friends of the Children" to collect coats for area kids.

Northwestern spokeswoman Jo Dee Black says "Share the Warmth" is looking for donations of new or gently used kids' coats, gloves, and other winter gear.

     👦🏼 Donations can be dropped off at the Northwestern Energy office on South Russell until mid-November.