Sheriff, Border Patrol and snowballs raise food for food bank

Hill County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Border Patrol Havre Sector partnered Wednesday morning in a snowball challenge to send food to the Havre Food Bank.

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross hit U.S. Border Patrol Havre Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin with eight snowballs, out of the 10 he threw.

  For each hit, 10 pounds of food will be donated to the food bank, so U.S. Border Patrol Havre Sector is sending over 80 pounds of food.

"We were trying to do our part to raise money for the food bank here in Havre and to be able to contribute to our communities here," McGoffin said.

The fundraiser started in Blaine, Washington, when U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector Acting Chief Agent Tony Holladay issued a challenge Jan. 17 to his northern border counterparts to follow his lead and have snowballs thrown at him to raise food for food banks.

McGoffin said the Havre Sector wanted to play its part, but in the meantime had to wait for snow on the ground.

"We wanted to ensure that we reached out to our partners, like we generally always work with our law enforcement partners along the Hi-Line, so we wanted to see if they wanted to participate because it not only helps the Border Patrol, but it also helps the sheriff's department," he said. "They are always one of our greatest partners here in Havre to contribute along the police department to helping the community,"

McGoffin said the Border Patrol has contributed in the past, helping out to the food bank, which helps provide food in the area to those in need.

Ross said the Hill County Sheriff Office will be doing its part to donate food to the bank, as well.

"I think it's a good idea to raise community awareness of the hunger that we have in our community and show our support for that," he said.

He said he would like people to know that this is a good time to donate to the local food banks because they are pretty depleted after the holiday season.

"Anything you can give to the food bank helps," Ross said.

Havre Food Bank Manager Samantha Nimmick said she was very excited to hear about the snowball challenge and that it was done to benefit the food bank.

"With all the wacky, and sometimes dangerous challenges out there these days, it's awesome to hear of one that utilizes a fun winter activity and is done for a good cause," she said. 

Food donations mean the difference between a family being able to eat and going hungry, she said. 

She added that this specific donation is very important to them as they are experiencing a downturn in donations as the holidays come to an end

"A special thank you to the Border Patrol and sheriff's office for this great idea and for thinking of us here at the food bank," Nimmick said.

People who are interested can donate by bringing food to the U.S. Border Patrol-Havre Sector located at 2605 Fifth Ave., Hill County Sheriff's Office at 1450 Second St. West or the Havre Food Bank Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  at 453 Seventh Ave. North.