Kalispell — During public comment at the Nov. 10 City Council work session, Mandy Girth, director of development at North Valley Food Bank, asked the city to issue a proclamation supporting Flathead Food Bank and highlighted rising local need.

Girth described her own experience in 2020 as a single parent and said local food banks and SNAP helped her remain stably housed. "Because of Flathead Food Bank and other area nonprofits ... that helped me stay stably housed and feed my family," she said, urging the council to recognize the role that the food bank plays in community resilience.

Several council members responded in support. Councillor Hunter said he would back a proclamation and noted continued need as federal and state programs shift. Mayor Johnson and others also supported the idea and instructed staff to work with council members to prepare a proclamation. "I concur, I think a proclamation would be good," the mayor said.

Council asked staff to coordinate the proclamation with city staff (Jared and Susie were mentioned as contacts) and to return proposed language for council consideration.

The council did not take a formal vote on the proclamation at the Nov. 10 work session but signaled unanimous support in remarks and directed staff to prepare the item for future consideration.