BILLINGS — Volunteers and staff at the Billings Food Bank distributed around 400 food boxes to area residents in a Farm to Trunk event Tuesday, said CEO Sheryle Shandy.
The Farm to Trunk events have been held several times over the past few months, all receiving a similar number of people. People drive up to the food bank parking lot and receive a box of food, no questions asked.
"It’s a good way for us to get the help out there. We know it’s needed. We just hope that they can use it," Shandy said.
The Farm to Trunk events use food purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the food bank's stock and food from a program called Farm Link, which connects farmer's unsold produce to places that need it like the food bank.
Volunteers will staff the parking lot again Wednesday and Thursday to distribute more free food boxes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2112 Fourth Ave. N.
Shandy said the food bank crew was able to take Farm to Trunk on the road to the surrounding communities of Huntley, Roundup and Joliet this year to help more people.
"We’re trying to spread the wealth to some of the smaller communities that don’t necessarily have social services within their grasp," Shandy said.
On Tuesday, the food bank received a $25,000 donation from an insurance company, Delta Dental. Shandy said the donation will help stock the food bank's shelves as the community enters another uncertain year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It certainly helps us acquire a lot of food. Food is starting to get short. Some items are getting to be scarce or at least rationed. We're trying to stock up as much as possible because we're not really sure what the new year is going to bring. I think we're still going to have a lot of issues that have to be dealt with. So, we're trying to get stocked so we're prepared," Shandy said.
While the Farm to Trunk events are no questions asked, people will need to bring in some documentation to sign up for regular food bank services. All that's needed is a photo ID, proof of physical address and the Social Security cards of anyone else in the household receiving food.
"People that maybe haven’t had to come to us and ask for help to know that we’re here and we make it really easy. So please don’t let pride get in your way if you need some help. That’s what we’re all here for," Shandy said.
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