Staff

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 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.

Kathy grew up outside of Great Falls in Sand Coulee, Montana. As a young girl, Kathy loved her mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup and still asks her mother to make it. Kathy likes crafting, gardening and sports – specifically the Dallas Cowboys. Spending time with her husband of 29 years, two grown and married daughters and five awesome grandsons (ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 5!) is Kathy’s favorite thing. Kathy is proud to be part of an organization that makes such an essential impact on the community. She loves being able to thank our supporters for the difference they are making.

Heidi is from the Chicago area, but has called Helena home for nearly twenty years and doesn't miss a day hiking in the South Hills with her two mutts. Heidi comes from a food family - her husband is a chef, one of her boys is always cooking something for her to clean up and her mother makes everything from scratch including bread, yogurt and soap (but, don't eat the soap!). Heidi loves to see the community come together with donations, volunteers and love each day to create a grocery store from scratch, providing such an essential need.

Rachael is a Montana Native and made Helena her home two years ago. She loves camping by mountain lakes, having early morning coffee with her man, and thumb-wrestling with their two crazy-awesome young sons. Her first week at Helena Food Share Rachael was absolutely astonished at the incredible generosity of the Helena Community, and remembers thinking, “Wow, now this is a community I want my kids to be a part of!”

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 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 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.”

Steve says he is from both Bozeman and Billings. His favorite go to snack is dessert. If he had to rank his hobbies, his children would earn the #1 spot followed by travel and sports. When asked what he loves most about Helena Food Share, Steve’s answer is simple: “People. Staff, volunteers, customers.”

Teresa is from the Lake Woebegone region of Minnesota. When she’s not making sure things are running smoothly at the pantry, Teresa likes hiking, cycling, river rafting, quilting, crafts, photography, gardening. Her favorite food is her grandmother’s dumplings. Teresa has trekked through Nepal three times and made it to 18,500 feet.