Neighbors Helping Neighbors

These past few weeks have been difficult for many in our community. With the government shutdown and the pause in SNAP benefits, more of our neighbors are struggling to access the food they need.

At the Co-op, we believe food is more than nourishment — it’s connection. It’s a shared table, a friendly hello at checkout, a reminder that we’re all in this together. When our neighbors are hurting, we all feel it — and we all have a role to play in helping one another through.

Local Resources

If you or someone you know needs extra support right now, please know that help is available. These local organizations are doing incredible work to make sure everyone in our community has access to good food and basic essentials:

• HRDC's Gallatin Valley Food Bank - Free groceries & emergency food assistance
• Fork & Spoon - Pay-what-you-can restaurant serving warm dinners for all.
  
• Salvation Army - Food pantry, sack lunches, and emergency services.
  
• Bozeman Tenants United - Free grocery program for union and housing members.
  
• Peace Pantry (Peace of Christ Community Church) - 24/7 self-serve pantry with food and hygiene items. 
• MSU Bounty of the Bridgers - Supplemental and emergency food assistance to students at no cost.
• MSU Saturday Pop-Up Pantry - Fresh produce and baked goods for students and staff.
• Gallatin College East Food Closet - Supplemental and Emergency Food Assistance for Gallatin College Students

How You Can Help

Bozeman has always been a community that shows up for one another. Even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting impact.
Here are a few ways to lend a hand.

• Donate food or funds to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank or another local pantry. (We have a food donation bin in-store and money donation bins at the registers!)
• Volunteer Your Time at Fork & Spoon, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, or Bozeman Tenants United Grocery Program. 
• Participate in Local Food Drives like Can the Griz! (November 8-22) 
• Check in on your Neighbors - Spread the word about local resources and help your neighbors out!

Our Community Impact

• We will be donating $1,000 worth of fresh produce to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank each week in the Month of November.
• We’ve changed our Apple-a-Day recipient to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank — because during a time like this, we believe supporting local hunger relief matters most. For every apple you purchase this November, we’ll donate 20¢ to the Food Bank to help feed our neighbors in need.
• Donate any amount at checkout this month, and the Co-op will match every dollar donated to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank
  
• Hosting a Can the Griz food drive! We will be an official community drop-off site at Co-op West Main from November 8–22 — bring your non-perishable food donations!
• Our EATS Program helps make groceries more affordable for community members needing financial assistance by offering 15% off all groceries.
  • Those who qualify include individuals and families participating in SNAP, Medicaid, Section 8 Housing, Montana Healthy Kids, Extra Help through Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Property Tax Assistance for low-income Montana seniors (PTAP), and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
  • During this time, we know many neighbors are facing uncertainty — especially those impacted by the SNAP benefit pause. To help bridge the gap through the holidays, we’re extending our EATS discounts:
    • If you currently have a SNAP balance, you’ll receive the standard six months of the 15% EATS discount. 
    • If your SNAP balance is zero, we’ll provide three months of the 15% discount to help you get through the holidays, with the option to renew after that time.