Food Pantry Board Members Face Cleanup After Flood
Author: MT43 News Reporter
Food Pantry Board Members Face Cleanup After Flood
MT43 News Reporter
Broadwater Food Pantry board members Daryl Blumhagen, Karoline Nelson and Roland Heaton were busy Friday, May 31st cleaning for the better part of a week after a catastrophic flood at 315 Broadway.
Nelson, the Pantry administrator, said they were able to save most of the canned goods as well as all the meat in one freezer. She said freezers and coolers were unharmed. They were able to save an entire freezer of meat. However, all staples such as flour and sugar were lost as were all food in boxes such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce mix, seasonings and gravy mix.
Board member Heaton said he received a text Sunday late afternoon that water was running from under the door at 315 Broadway, the location of the nonprofit. When he and others arrived, they noted parts of the ceiling had fallen on the floor, and the east wall had caved in. Water was everywhere. ”Apparently the water had been leaking for some time onto the false ceiling of the pantry because there was mold in other walls,” he explained.
The pantry, which had been in this location for over 15 years, was recently remodeled with new flooring installed by Townsend Rotary. Other organizations donated in-kind work for painting. Nelson said they were heartsick over the loss. They are so relieved because Sheila Heavirland has offered to allow the organization to relocate to the former JRock Jewelry location two doors from Broadwater Food Pantry. Heavirland leases the location. Nelson said, “I don’t know if there is anything else we can do right now, but we hope to be back in business in 6-8 weeks.”
Two missionaries from the Church of Latter Day Saints worked Friday to move the big freezers and coolers to the former JRock Jewelry location just two doors down. Reese Jones of West Haven, Utah and Nathan Jansen of Salt Lake were heaving the appliances on a dolly. Heaton said the board was so glad to have the young men help.
Asked what the public can do to help the Food Pantry survive this setback, Nelson asked donors to not bring food to the location. She said the board would appreciate monetary donations dedicated to restoring the building. “Townsend Rotary recently donated $1,000 as a matching incentive for donors between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day on June 16. If people who donate could designate their checks to restoration, that would be great,” she noted.
Building owner Jeremy Wegner is formerly from Billings. He lives in the apartment above the Food Pantry. He said he was disheartened to learn his insurance did not cover water damage. He bought the building in 2017 and had made it his mission to take care of the Food Pantry by charging them a very fair rent. He admires their mission to not check clients’ financial situation. “They help people who need help without any bureaucratic shuffle,” he pointed out.
Nelson agreed. “He has been very good to the Food Pantry,” she said.
Wegner plans to make the building better than it was before if he can find help. The building is very old but well-constructed.
People who wish to donate may do so by sending a check to P.O. Box 1164. For more information contact Karoline Nelson at (406) 438-3981.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Image 1: Food Bank Roland Heaton Photo
Image 2: Food Bank Flood K. Nelson Photo
Image 3: Nancy Marks Photo
Image 1 Caption: When Roland Heaton arrived at the Food Pantry Sunday morning, he and Karoline Nelson, in back, found the ceiling and wall had collapsed from water damage.
Roland Heaton Photo
Image 2 Caption: The flooring was completely ruined as were much of the food supplies, shown here.
Karoline Nelson Photo
Image 3 Caption: Missionaries from the Church of Latter-Day Saints moved several freezers and coolers from the damaged Food Pantry Monday.
Nancy Marks Photo
