Company-wide effort aims for 75,000 pounds of food: ‘Dump Hunger’ Campaign Helps Area Food Banks

Western States Equipment Company is entering its final weeks of "Dump Hunger," a community food drive.

The company-wide campaign runs through Jan. 23 and aims to gather 75,000 pounds of food – enough to fill the bed of a Caterpillar 730 dump truck. Donations of non-perishable food items or checks made out to the local food banks or community service agencies can be brought to the Western States Cat location at 3500 Highway 93 South in Kalispell. Western States will match the dollar value of all the food collected with a cash donation of up to $15,000.

The food drive is a timely effort: In November, the Beacon wrote about how, with strains on the local and national economy, this year will be one of the most demanding on record for local food banks. Need was already up 25 to 35 percent from the same time last year, leaving many pantries running short on supplies. And those who were once donors were finding themselves in need.

Given last week's layoffs at Plum Creek and Semitool, two of the valley's largest employers, that need is likely to continuing growing – and Western States' drive is an important reminder that those of us who can, should donate.