Libby Food Pantry gets a big lift from LOR Foundation

For many years Libby Food Pantry and its volunteers have been a safe haven and blessing for many families and individuals throughout the community.

The nonprofit, which has no paid employees, is an all-volunteer operation whose members donate their time and talents. In 2023, they served more than 250 food-insecure households, providing nearly 140,000 pounds of food to local Libby families.

The pantry, through its Back Pack Program, bought, packaged and distributed food to about 120 food insecure kids at participating local schools.

The pantry, which moved from the older Asa Wood School to the former JC Clubhouse in 2022, typically serves an average of 250 food insecure households. Many elderly or disabled applicants rely on food bank home delivery or rides from friends or family to receive their food.

The Lincoln County Commissioners crafted a contract to rent the building to the food pantry for $1 per year.

Recently the pantry received a $27,538 grant from the LOR Foundation so it could buy two large generators to ensure perishable items, such as meats and vegetables, remain cold and frozen during storms and power outages.

According to LOR, last year the group lost an entire freezer of fish and poultry after a breaker blew and the group’s refrigeration system went out. Volunteers realized that a broader power outage could make it impossible to feed the residents who look to the food bank for help, especially if the outage were to happen during the summer months.

In addition to the generators, the pantry was also able to obtain new stainless steel carts and stainless steel tables for volunteers working in the food pantry. 

At times, volunteers had to use large pieces of wood or cinder blocks to raise the tables to the proper level for work to be done. They were also using wooden carts for some of the work which made the sanitation process after each use longer and more time consuming. 

The majority of volunteers at the food pantry are older folks so the donations of these new tools and equipment have made the work flow and process much easier and more efficient. 

While new equipment and tools are a huge help in serving the community and filling the need of food in local homes, the pantry continually needs donations and willing, available hands of volunteers in our community. 

Ninety-five percent of all donated funds pay for food while the remainder is spent on utilities and insurance.

There are plenty of different jobs for volunteers from helping individuals and families filling out their forms, to lifting larger boxes of food and even greeting, and handing bags to people in the community. 

Even an hour of time given at the pantry is greatly appreciated and makes an impact.

The Libby Food Pantry is located 409 West Balsam in Libby next to Pioneer Park.

For questions about how to get involved you can call the pantry at 293-3332 or you can email the pantry at pantrylibby@gmail.com.