The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Lynn Phillips became the new director of the Chinook Food Pantry in mid-July. Phillips, a relative newcomer to the area, takes over from Jeanne Dalton who served as director from January, 2016 to June of this year. Dalton moved back to California to live near her daughter. Phillips becomes the third director of the Pantry. Amelia Funk served as the first and only director from 2000 until the end of 2015, when Dalton took over.

In 1998 the Chinook Ministerial Association, a group made up of the ministers of several churches in town, saw the need for an outlet to help meet the food needs of Blaine County residents. The Chinook VFW offered use of its building, rent free, if the Pantry would pay for utilities. That agreement is still in effect. The Food Pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers, including the director.

The number of families served by the Pantry has expanded over the years. Funk said, "When I began as director of the Pantry in 2000 we were serving about 30 households. Now (2016) the Pantry serves nearly 600 households." The Chinook Food Pantry and a facility in Harlem are the only two food banks in Blaine County.

Lynn Phillips recognizes the role of volunteers, gifts and donations of food

Lynn Phillips, commenting on her reasons for accepting the director's position, said, "I am impressed with the Food Pantry. I fell in love with it the first day I walked in as a volunteer." She added, "We couldn't keep going without our volunteers, donors and the support of the community. That's what touched my heart and made me want to keep the Pantry going, so I stepped up."

Phillips has a background in social services back in Texas where she lived before Chinook. She's worked as a volunteer with Red Cross Disaster Response, in women's shelters and a couple of positions with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). She explained, "In each of these positions I gained experience working with and organizing volunteers. Working with the volunteers at the Pantry really appeals to me."

Allie Paulsen, who is the vice president of the governing board for the Food Pantry, and a volunteer herself, said, "Whether it's a family of 10 or a family of one, we try to give a helpful amount of food." The goal is generally 10-15 pounds of food per family member. Families can use the Pantry once every quarter.

New director Phillips added, "We are doing more than just feeding people, we are helping them to buy medicine, pay their utility bills and cover other family expenses by reducing their cost of food. That's what community is all about, helping each other. I'm so happy to be a part of the Pantry in this new role."

Support for the Chinook Food Pantry comes from a variety of funding and donating sources. Former director Funk said, "We couldn't continue to operate the Food Pantry without the generous support of The Town Pump Charitable Foundation. Their support is critical to the continued operation of many Montana food banks."

The Food Pantry also receives support from a few other grants it has successfully written. Paulsen mentioned an especially important community endowment grant, from Warren and Betty Don Ross, that has been critical to keeping the Pantry operating as well as supporting other local projects.

The rest of the support comes from local donors. Some people make cash donations, which allow Pantry volunteers to shop for things not available through the Food Network (a statewide food distribution network). During the summer several donors bring fresh produce to distribute. Local ranchers and farmers often donate meat. Some folks buy groceries at the store and bring the food for distribution. And several local groups conduct food drives in the community. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, local donors provide turkeys to help clients have a traditional holiday meal.

At the time Jeanne Dalton became the new director, Amelia Funk said, "With our 501 (c) (3) tax exemption we can give a receipt for a tax deduction when a donor contributes." She added, "Sometimes we spend a $1000 a month to keep our food inventory adequate to serve our clients. Cash donations help us provide necessities not available from any other source."

The good work of the local pantry has been recognized across Montana. Last April, Jeanne Dalton and Amelia Funk were in Helena representing the Chinook Food Pantry at a statewide ceremony. They received awards on behalf of the Food Pantry at the biennial awards ceremony of the Montana Food Bank Network. Montana's First Lady Lisa Bullock presented the awards.

The Food Pantry is located at 112 6th Street W in Chinook. For more information about the food programs, ways to volunteer or how to donate to the Food Pantry, contact or leave a message at the Food Pantry (357-3805). The Pantry is open Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The "Journal" wishes Lynn Phillips the best in her new role as Director of the Chinook Food Pantry.