Montana Governor Visits Salvation Army and Food Bank Headquarters

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana Governor Greg Gianforte was in Missoula on Thursday to visit both the Salvation Army, as well as the Montana Food Bank Network headquarters.

I caught up with Governor Gianforte at the Salvation Army, and spoke with Major Robert Covert about their efforts to provide a merrier Christmas to those less fortunate in Missoula.

Governor Gianforte Helped Out at the Missoula Salvation Army

“The Salvation Army started here in Missoula in 1894 so we've been here for quite a while, but right now today, what we're doing is making sure that the families that are in need of help get the help that we are able to provide in the in the way of gifts for their children this year,” began Major Covert. “Not that Christmas is a material thing, but we want to make sure that it's a happy Christmas for the kids, and so we've got toys for the kids, and then we also have some gift cards to help out with food for the families as well.”

Major Covert said the Salvation Army helps the community 24/7, 365 days a year.

The Governor Praised the Salvation Army for Their Help Year Round

“Actually it stays busy year round,” he said. “Our Christmas season actually starts January and runs through December. But once, once January rolls around we'll start up again with our youth activities. We do a youth program every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. where we teach the kids various character-building badges. We've taught them how to do their laundry and the parents loved that. For Thanksgiving, we taught them proper table etiquette, how to set the table, how to have a normal conversation at the table.”

Governor Gianforte was kept busy carrying bags of gifts and food to the clients at the Salvation Army.

Gianforte Also Visited the Montana Food Bank Network in Missoula

“I'm so thankful for the work that the Salvation Army does,” said the Governor. “They've been handing out gifts for 150 years for Christmas and as importantly, spreading the Good News of this Christmas season, and they're here throughout the year. None of this could be possible without the generous support of people in the community that have donated all these gifts, the food that's served here four days a week, to the homeless. They're making a difference here in Missoula.”

Gianforte was just getting ready to head out the door to visit the Montana Food Bank Network.

Gianforte Hoped for a Toy for Every Child and a Meal on Every Table

“We want to make sure that there's a meal on every table during this holiday season, and the Montana Food Bank Network is an important part of that here, not only in Missoula, but statewide,” he said. “ I know that just after this, we're going to we have a few more toys to hand out here at Salvation Army to make sure there's something under the tree for every child here in Missoula County, and then we'll make sure there's a meal on the table.”

The Governor recently wrapped up his 12 Days of Giving tour of the state.