Staff

For all general inquiries, please call us at (406) 443-3663 or email us at info@helenafoodshare.org.

Bruce Day

Bruce Day, Executive Director

Executive Director

Email
443-3663 ext. 108
Biography

Bruce was born in Billings and has lived in three Montana cities: Helena, Great Falls and Billings. When he’s not at the helm of the Helena Food Share ship, Bruce can be found dancing barefoot, hiking or reading a good novel. Bruce’s favorite snack from childhood is his Grandma Amada’s Arroz con Pollo. “No one else can make it like she did,” Bruce says.

Kim Dale

Kim Dale, Program Director

Operation Program Director

Email
443-3663 ext. 110
Biography

As Kim describes it, she grew up in “The land of plenty (East Helena), where the bounty of Montana has nourished me with food, family and friends.” Kim appreciates spending time outside in Montana’s stunning flora and fauna. The breweries in Montana also have a special place in her heart. The smiles, laughter, tears and joy that make up a day at Helena Food Share are what make Kim love her job so much. Kim has a sweet tooth for her mother’s Swedish toffee cookies.

Kara Snyder

Program Manager

Email
443-3663 ext. 113
Biography

Kara hails from “the great state of Oregon,” as she refers to her home state. When she’s not working at Helena Food Share, Kara enjoys biking, camping and basically “doin’ stuff outside.” Sometimes she reads a book (or more if she’s on vacation). Beware! Kara is a martial artist with a yellow belt in karate. Kara also loves hanging out with her massive Newfoundland dog Goose.

Daneal Lightner

Daneal Lightner, Development Director

Annual Fund and Events Manager

Email
Biography

Daneal has worked for Helena Food Share since 2016, helping donors make a big difference for those in need.  She works remotely from Choteau, MT raising funds to provide food for those who need it in the greater Helena area. Daneal loves being a small part of such a big community effort. She also loves spending time with her four children, husband, family, and friends doing life Montana style – camping, fishing, and outdoor recreating (as long as it’s not cold out). With four little kids in tow, Daneal understands the importance of snacks and loves any healthy, on-the-go, mess-free foods, but would never turn down a plate of pasta. .

Dave Anderson

Dave Anderson, Driver

Driver

Email
443-3663
Biography

Dave is a Montana boy, originally from Twin Bridges. Dave is wise enough to know that his favorite food comes from his wife’s kitchen; Mary Anderson’s coconut lemon cake. When Dave isn’t busy driving the Helena Food Share truck, he spends his time toiling in his raised bed gardens, scrapbooking and building stage sets. Dave especially loves hearing people’s stories as they come to Helena Food Share. He doesn’t mind his co-workers too much either.

Cathy Rainsier

Cathy Rainsier
Program Operations Assistant
Email
443-3663 ext. 107
Biography

Cathy was born and raised in Helena and volunteered at Helena Food Share before joining this exceptional team. Always a home cook, making sure all tables have quality food in this community is a fulfilling way to spend each day. When she’s not assisting in the pantry, Cathy enjoys reading, gardening, fly fishing, and hanging out with her grandchildren.

Liz Harrison, M.A.

Liz Harrison

Development Director

Email
443-3663 ext. 104
Biography

Liz has been a non-profit fundraiser in Montana and Washington since 2005, and has raised over $10M for local Montana nonprofits. Before joining the non-profit sector, Liz was VP of Marketing and Publicity at Random House publishers. Liz is honored to help her colleagues at Helena Food Share deliver the outstanding service they provide to our neighbors in need by inviting our generous community to “make a difference” in the lives of hungry children, adults and veterans through donations. Her all-time favorite food was her Mom’s tuna noodle casserole, which she’s often tried to replicate, without much success.

Patty White

Patty White

Communications Director

Email
443-3663 ext. 109
Biography

Patty is a long-time Helena resident who has worked in the non-profit sector (Carroll College, the Montana Nonprofit Association, the Helena Symphony and the Holter Museum of Art) in Executive Director and Marketing & Communication roles for most of her career. She also served on the Helena City Commission and loves the Helena community. Outside of work, you will often find Patty hiking Montana’s trails with her family, friends, and her canine best friend, Maggie. Patty is always on the look-out for new recipes using her favorite vegan ingredients but dark chocolate is always a staple.

Jami Kirksey

Jami Kirksey, Volunteer Manager

Volunteer Manager

Email
443-3663 ext. 106
Biography

Jami grew up in the south, where her earliest memories are food related. She has several iron skillets and still drinks tea out of mason jars. On the weekend she can be found snuggling with her husband and lab in their tiny vintage camper. She is obsessed with cookbooks and enjoys filling the recipe board with season recipes that use ingredients from the pantry. She is the happiest when sharing meals with her family (especially around campfires).

John Dendy

John Dendy, Program Operations Assistant

Operations Manager

Email
443-3663 ext. 107
Biography

John is a Huntsville, Alabama native. He lived in the state until he turned 18. Now that he resides in Helena, John enjoys playing music with his various bands, hiking and camping. John is also fond of breakfast for dinner, and his wife Claire. Working with volunteers is the highlight of John’s time at Helena Food Share.

Sally Beck

Executive Assistant

Email
443-3663 ext. 102
Biography

Sally is originally from New York City, but has now been in Helena for over twenty years and considers Montana her forever home. When not holding down the fort at the Administrative Offices, Sally can be found cooking, hiking or reading. Sally loves pasta because you can make it a thousand different ways. When Sally’s kids were young, she couldn’t always make ends meet even with two jobs and was a Helena Food Share customer. She says, “It’s exciting to be able to pay it forward and to help other people who are going through a tough time in their lives.”

Denise Trautman

Development Assistant

Email
443-3663 ext. 103
Biography

Denise began her time here at Helena Food Share as a valued volunteer at the Pantry on Wednesday mornings. Denise has a strong background in accounting and hotel management and puts these skills to work at the Administrative offices as the Development Assistant. Denise loves to bring treats into the office to ensure that her coworkers are happy.

Leroy Zent

Leroy Zent, Driver

Driver

443-3663
Biography

Leroy was born and raised in Mandan, North Dakota and enjoyed many summers of fishing the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota. Leroy spent a career in the military and retired in 2010 from the Portland Air National Guard. The camaraderie of the staff and the volunteers at Helena Food Share makes work feel like a second home to Leroy. His passions include cooking, woodworking and reading. Leroy loves a good Mexican meal, but you won’t find him in the mariachi band as he claims to have no talent for singing or dancing.