Untitled Document

FISH

Many men, women and children live in circumstances where, from time to time, they need assistance to obtain life's most basic need - food . This may occur because of broken families, loss of employment, illness or other emergency. A non-profit corporation organized as Great Falls FISH Incorporated (known simply as FISH) works together to meet these needs. This totally volunteer organization is located at 1620 12th Ave N in Great Falls where they rent space from the Great Falls Food Bank. Funding for FISH comes from the 14 sponsoring organizations and by benevolent individuals and groups that donate food and/or money. The sponsoring organizations are: Central Christian Church; the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation; First Presbyterian Church, First Congregational Church, UCC; Bethel Lutheran Church; St. John's Lutheran Church; Faith Lutheran Church; Christ United Methodist Church; Our Savior's Lutheran Church; Redeemer Lutheran Church; Vineyard Christian Fellowship; First Southern Baptist Church; Great Falls Y's Men (service club of the YMCA); and Sunrise Presbyterian Church. Each of these congregations is represented by an individual on the Board of Directors of FISH which operates the food program. The Board member representing Church of the Incarnation is Alice Hendryx. During the year, each of these churches represented on the Board regularly appeal to their congregations for donations of non perishable food and money to be brought to FISH. They also collect plastic and paper bags for use in operations.

FISH buys bulk food such as pancake flour, sugar, and dried milk from wholesale vendors. This bulk food is then bagged and placed into one pound packages for distribution. Meat is also purchased at intervals and stored for distribution. At their rented facilities, FISH has some capacity to store frozen meat and margarine, and to store eggs and fruit juices. They also receive bread and other food from the Great Falls Food Bank.

To receive food from FISH, one must qualify by going to Opportunities, Inc. 905 1st Ave N between the hours of 9 & 12 a.m. and 1 & 4 p.m. They will check and determine eligibility to receive food and issue a referral slip that is to be used to pick up food at FISH. Food cannot be be given without a referral slip. FISH is organized for the purpose of benefiting the needy residents of the Great Falls area by providing groceries, food stuffs, and paper products on an occasional and non-permanent basis. No one will be denied on the basis of race, sex, age, or religious affiliation. Food slips are good for two months and a confidential file is kept of food given to individual applicants. The food available from FISH is intended only as a supplement to other sources, or an emergency supply, as we are very conscious of our limitations.

How can I help? FISH welcomes contributions of food and money at all times of the year. If you have surplus canned goods or dry foods such as macaroni, or spaghetti, you can always bring such food to the FISH operation on a weekday between the hours of 9 & 11 a.m. During harvest time, when your gardens are over-flowing, we can accept fresh vegetables and fruit. Perhaps you wish to make a monetary donation, for we can often purchase food at a lower cost than can individuals. In this event, mail your check, made out to FISH, to the following address:

FISH
P.O. Box 662
Great Falls, MT 59403