The Mobile Food Pantry is a program by which, MFBN, using its "gap analysis" determines areas of the state that are currently underserved and food distributions are scheduled for the community. MFBN works with the local pantry (if one exists) in the community where the distribution will be held. In some instances, MFBN partners with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a faith-based nonprofit financial services organization that supports communities in need through volunteer activities.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is the nation's largest fraternal benefit society and a Fortune 500 company which maintains a network of 1,364 chapters. In 2006, Thrivent Financial members gave 21.4 million volunteer hours and created/participated in 96,400 chapter activities including 8,800 related to fighting hunger.

The Mobile Food Pantry program seeks to fill in those gaps, providing up to 10,000 lbs of emergency food per site, SNAP application assistance, exposure to the local emergency food system, and other outreach and educational opportunities.

We have provided food to many people that may have otherwise gone hungry. Only a small number of those individuals were receiving SNAP (formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits and most were unaware of the availability of local emergency food. A common benefit of the Mobile Food Pantry program is the development of new partner agencies providing a lasting resource for the community.

The Mobile Food Pantry program has proven effective in so many ways to rural communities, and completely relies on the charitable giving of all Montanans.