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A central Montana food bank has seen more traffic since it expanded last fall and as Congress considers cuts to safety-net programs including grocery dollars, food bank staff know they may be affected.

In 2024, Helena Food Share served more than 4,000 households total. Now, it serves roughly 1,700 households each month.

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Jordan Evertz, executive director of Helena Food Share, said they relocated in October and the new Community Food Resource Center allows for increased offerings, including a more effective grocery rescue program, which reallocates foods from grocery stores that have passed their "sell-by" dates.

"One aspect of our new building is our commercial kitchen space," Evertz pointed out. "We are able to reproduce that food into individual meals and product that goes out into the market for customers."

Cuts to safety-net programs proposed in the federal budget bill could bring in more community members seeking food support. Evertz emphasized funding for Helena Food Share largely comes from the community, so while potential federal budget cuts will affect operations, they will not close their doors.

The American Heart Association contributed to Helena Food Share's expansion by funding construction of its large refrigeration space.

Cherish Hart, western state regional vice president of community impact for the association, said it offers grants for many organizations focused on healthy food.

"We know that food insecurity has been rising," Hart acknowledged. "We've been trying to work with more organizations on tackling that food insecurity, but thinking about it with that lens of nutrition as well."

She added the association has provided grants for produce wash stations and freeze-drying machines.