Why was a New Building Needed?

Food Insecurity in our Community

One in seven of our neighbors experience food insecurity, including one in five kids & seniors.

• In 2023, 8,776 of our neighbors received food support at Helena Food Share.
• The need was met last year by providing nearly 1.8 million lbs of food.
• Over 86,400 total services were provided to those in need in 2023.
• Because of the increase in population and changes to social and economic conditions, the number of food services provided by Helena Food Share has grown by over 2600% since 2001.
• The population in Lewis & Clark Co. is expected to increase 8% by 2040.

Improved Capacity, Efficiency & Cost-effectiveness

Cost savings and program efficiencies realized from the new facility enable Helena Food Share to better meet the growing needs of our community today and well into the future.

• Helena Food Share was housed in 3 buildings over 5 blocks. The new center makes food movement and distribution more efficient.
• A larger Food Market is a retail-type shopping space with improved flow and safety, providing greater selection in an environment designed for ease of movement and privacy.
• The larger Market allows more people to shop at a time.
• The lobby provides a space for customers to wait indoors, out of the elements.
• The expanded warehouse provides 3 times the storage space.
• The commercial kitchen allows for expanded food rescue and the ability to preserve surplus fresh food from local suppliers, farms, and area gardens.
• Prepackaged and heat-and-serve meals can be prepared and stored, allowing us to meet new and changing food program needs.
• A classroom kitchen and garden will be available to teach nutrition and food-prep skills, empowering customers to adopt healthy eating habits for life.
• The classroom and commercial kitchen will be available for community use.