A reflection on a decade of service, gratitude for a generous city, and hope for the future of the Great Falls Community Food Bank

Next year marks ten years since I became the Executive Director of the Great Falls Community Food Bank. When I look back on my decade-long helm, what stands out isn’t the challenges or the struggle of running a non-profit—it’s the people of Great Falls. Time and again, I’ve been greatly moved by the generosity, kindness, and compassion in this community. Whether it’s a generous donor, giving as much as they can, or a pantry volunteer who works so hard to help struggling families.

And it’s not just these past ten years—the people of Great Falls have been supporting the Food Bank for nearly 40 years. For four decades, neighbors have come together to make sure no one in our city goes hungry. I am so grateful and honored to be part of that story.

The Everyday Heroes

One of the people who inspires me most is Mike, a Vietnam veteran who lives on limited funds. Every month, he donates $500 to feed his Great Falls neighbors. Think about that. Someone who doesn’t have much, but gives as much as he can—and then some—because he knows there are people out there with even less. And he’s not alone. I see families who are barely scraping by, still choosing to give, because they know what it feels like to need help. That kind of generosity inspires my amazing staff and I greatly.

Businesses that Care about Kids

Our local businesses are another source of constant inspiration. Hundreds of them step up to support our Backpacks4Kids program and other efforts that keep kids fed. They don’t just write a check and move on—they commit, year after year, because they believe in making sure children in Great Falls have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Whenever I see those backpacks filled with food going home with kids, I know it’s because of an entire community pulling together.

The Heartbeat of Our Work

And then there are the volunteers and employees of our partner agencies—the true heartbeat of the Food Bank. They’re the ones loading trucks, sorting food, serving meals at soup kitchens, stocking shelves at pantries, and working with youth groups and mental health agencies. They don’t do it for recognition; they do it because they care. Every smile, every bag of food, every helping hand—it all adds up to hope.

We are also feeding more agencies than ever before—pantries, youth groups, schools, soup kitchens, and organizations serving people with mental health challenges. Our partnership with the Great Falls Public Schools District is especially strong as the District continues its commitment to making sure our kids are ready to learn. The ripple effect of these partnerships is enormous: when we supply them, they can reach even further into the community and ensure help gets to the people who need it most.

I’ve also been blessed with a core group of outstanding employees over the last decade. None have been better than my current staff—Sandra Fermo (Office Manager), Martin Humphrey (Warehouse Manager), Shane Moore (Driver and Warehouseman) and Gabriel Day (Driver and Warehouseman). Each of them has proven they take great pride in running the best charity possible, making sure every donor’s gift and every agency’s need is handled with care. They work tirelessly to ensure resources are maximized, and that the Food Bank continues to make the biggest impact it can.

The Challenges We Face

It hasn’t been easy. Government cutbacks have made it harder to meet the growing demand for food assistance. Every time funding gets reduced, it feels like a punch to the gut. But here’s what I’ve learned: Great Falls doesn’t back down. When there’s a need, this community steps up. Always.

A Community Like No Other

After ten years in this role, I can say this with all my heart: Great Falls is one of the most generous communities I’ve ever known. For nearly 40 years, people here have cared about their neighbors. They care about kids. They care about families who are struggling. They care enough to give, even when it’s hard.

Finally, a big thank you to the kind, caring souls who have served on our Board of Directors over the past ten years. Roughly 80 people have given their time, wisdom, and compassion—showing not only deep concern for the people of Cascade County who need our assistance, but also for the employees who carry out this mission every day. Their leadership and guidance have been a steady foundation for everything we’ve accomplished.

And that’s why I believe the future is bright, despite some recent cutbacks. Because as long as we keep caring for one another, there’s nothing we can’t overcome together.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you, Great Falls. Here’s to the next ten years of feeding hope, one neighbor at a time.

If you’d like to be part of this mission—whether by volunteering, donating, or simply sharing our story—please join us. Together, we can make sure the next 40 years are just as impactful as the last.

Shaun M. Tatarka

Executive Director