Washington Foundation donates to 97 Montana basic needs organizations

Press release

MISSOULA — The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has selected 97 food banks, food pantries, rescue missions, homeless shelters, United Ways, and Salvation Army organizations across Montana to receive a combined $313,500 in additional grant funds to aid them in helping Montana’s most vulnerable citizens during the continuing pandemic.

The Foundation’s special Holiday Giving Program is in addition to other grants that are awarded annually to these basic needs organizations and is intended to provide the resources they need to ensure that individuals and families have nutritious food during the holiday season.

“Virtually all basic needs organizations continue to struggle to meet the growing demand for their services, and with the number of COVID-19 and delta variant cases continuing to increase statewide, these additional funds will hopefully help address shortages of food, shelter, clothing and other basic needs,” Foundation Executive Director Mike Halligan said. “Our goal with this donation is to get badly needed resources into the hands of the staff and volunteers of these critically important organizations, especially now with the winter months approaching.”

In Montana, 1 in 10 people struggle with hunger and 1 in 6 Montana children live in homes that face food insecurity, putting them at risk of hunger. Good nutrition, particularly in the early years of life, is important for establishing a solid foundation that affects a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement, and economic productivity.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. The Foundation strives to better the human condition by supporting programs and services that give people the tools to enhance the quality of their lives and to benefit society as a whole. Funding for the Foundation comes from personal contributions from the Washington family and annual contributions from The Washington Companies.