Emergency Food Drive beginning Friday at Butte Civic Center Annex

Not that there is ever a good time for a government shutdown but with the Holidays approaching and colder weather already here, those serving us on both sides of the political aisle are simply failing us.  Social services and benefits are being greatly reduced if not cut altogether and we are being left to our own devices to take care of those who are less fortunate, down on their luck or simply struggling.

Butte has never been immune to having its financial rug pulled from under those who can least afford unstable footing.  Just last week my good friend Bill Foley wrote a fantastic piece that focused greatly on how one of Butte's big miners strikes greatly altered the geography of his family.  We have seen many mine strikes in the old days. We have seen strikes, closures, false promises and even outright lies but Butte has always come through. We have seen how neighbors, businesses and families came together to in the old days to weather the storm.  Now we are being asked to do it again, particularly with those who rely on SNAP benefits for survival.

"With the SNAP benefits being cut, we are being hit very hard in Butte yet many people are making a huge difference," said Stephanie Sorini of the Butte Chamber of Commerce.  "Butte's Community Action Team has set up an emergency food drive that will start this Friday at the Butte Civic Center," she told us.  Residents are being asked to bring nonperishables to the Civic Center Annex between 4 and 6pm where they will be delivered to the Butte Emergency Food Bank for distribution.  Donations will be accepted at the Civic Center again on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each day again between 4 and 6pm.

Sorini also noted that there will be a food drive through the Butte School District that will be going on through the month of November.  "All of this goes to the Food Bank so that they can distribute to families in need."