Volunteers from the Pantry drive to Missoula every Sunday morning to collect donations from the Good Food Store and Missoula 3:16 Rescue Mission. This second harvest is usually a collection of a thousand pounds of nourishing fresh food, and takes the volunteers between 4 and 5 hours.

The Good Food Store is a Missoula institution that specializes in bulk and natural food items, including locally sourced and non-GMO produce, amazing things you never expected could be made from soy, non-animal-tested health and cosmetic products, all the best from the local bakeries, and a fine selection of wines and craft beers. A fine deli and hot food bar provides eating in-house, and the barristas are happy to perk you up with made-to-order caffeinated and juiced concoctions.

Elizabeth, who manages the produce department, and Franco bring out the bounty to our Pantry volunteer, who describes herself as “the lean, green, gleaning machine that never leaves a box or bucket behind”. We get a treasure trove of items from other sections of the store, as well, from Dr. Bronner’s soap to shade-grown coffee.