Operation Rice Bowl Program grants funds for the Diocese of Helena have provided special supplemental grants for 10 organizations in western Montana. This is to help meet the increasing need for assistance caused by escalating food costs.

The grants come from 25 percent of two years’ worth of distribution of the amount collected in the diocese during Lent the last two years. A quarter of the total is returned to the diocese to distribute to food pantries and similar organizations. These grants are in addition to disbursements announced earlier this year, said Pete McNamee, diocesan director of financial services.

Recipients include Helping Hands Fund of Polson; Columbia Falls Community Kitchen, located in St. Richard Parish, and St. Vincent DePaul House of Browning, housed at Little Flower Parish.

Good Samaritan Ministries and Helena Food Share, both of Helena, received grants.

Meagher County Nutrition Coalition of White Sulphur Springs was given a grant, as was Project Care of Anaconda and Beaverhead Community Food Pantry of Dillon.

The Jocko-Arlee Food Pantry of Arlee, which is supported by local Catholic and Lutheran churches, was awarded a grant and the Mission Valley Food Pantry of St. Ignatius also received one.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 24, No. 8, August 15, 2008.