Blackfeet Reservation Disaster Relief
Photo Credit: http://www.ktvh.com MTN News - Elizabeth Transue
In mid-January 2018, the Montana Food Bank Network began receiving calls for help from the people of Heart Butte. Extreme weather conditions and closed roadways caused food shipments to be delayed or canceled creating a food crisis in the region. We responded to the immediate need by shipping approximately 1,500 pounds of chicken, apples, and potatoes directly to Heart Butte School District for distribution. In recent weeks, many organizations in the Flathead Valley have also been providing critical resources to the region.
On February 27 2018, both the Blackfeet Tribe and Governor Steve Bullock issued a state of emergency for the Blackfeet Reservation due to recent snowstorms, gale-force winds, and sub-zero temperatures. Road closures and snowdrifts have been making it extremely challenging for resources such as food and gas to reach these communities. In recent news, it has been reported, “the reservation is on its 16th day of blizzard weather, with houses buried in 20-foot drifts of snow”. “The communities of Heart Butte, Browning, and East Glacier have been especially hard-hit, with some areas recording more than 70” of snow just in February.”
A partnership of local organizations including Blackfeet Nourish Project, United Methodist Church of Columbia Falls, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and Montana Food Bank Network have shipped nearly 40,000 lbs. of emergency food to the Blackfeet Nation. In response to the state of emergency, MFBN has setup a disaster relief fund. To donate in support of the Blackfeet Reservation relief effort, visit mfbn.org/donate and select ‘Disaster Relief Fund’ under ‘What motivated you to donate today?’ to earmark your money for disaster relief.
For more information on the status of the Blackfeet Reservation, please refer to the Incident Commander, Dawn Skerritt:
Dawn Skerritt
406-260-5562
Pastor -- Columbia Falls United Methodist Church
Incident Commander
Yellowstone Annual Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
[email protected]