Missoula County Allocates $1.3 Million For the Vulnerable

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Missoula County annually distributes over $1 million to help support those less fortunate in the community through two funds; the Community Assistance Fund and the Substance Abuse Prevention mill levy.

I spoke with Melissa Richards, Missoula County Grants Administrator, about the annual grants that date back 146 years.

Long Standing Fund Gives $1.3 Million for Community Assistance

“Missoula County has the Community Assistance Fund, which provides funding for human services and to establish a safety net or continuum of services for at risk and vulnerable populations to meet basic human needs for food, shelter, medical services and emergency transportation,” began Richards. “This year, 22 programs in our community will receive funding in this area.”

Richards said the second fund goes to help those with drug abuse and addiction problems.

One Fund is for Human Services and the Other is for Drug Abuse Issues

“The other program is the Substance Abuse Prevention mill levy that is providing support to eight organizations in our community to help grow healthy youth and families and reduce the negative consequences and high costs of substance abuse,” she said.

Richards said the Missoula Community Assistance fund has added another worthy recipient this year.

“With the Community Assistance Fund, there is a new recipient, which is the Missoula Food Bank and community center’s Rural Satellite Pantry Distribution Program, and that program was selected to provide resources for food in our rural communities.”

Richards said both funds continue a tradition to assist those in Missoula County who are in need.

The County Continues the Giving Tradition Begun 146 Years Ago

“I think it just really highlights the needs in our community, and that these funds are really going to support basic human needs, and then also to support programs that are working towards prevention and working on substance abuse issues in our community,” she said.

According to a press release from Missoula County, “The Community Assistance Fund has roots going back to 1877 when the Montana Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Montana created an act that directed county commissioners to use taxes for a special fund to assist the poor. Some of the funds will go to Missoula Public Health, All Nations Health Center, Project Success, The Boys and Girls Club, Empower MT, Friends of the Children, Big Brothers and Sisters, and Mountain Home Montana.”