Join the Movement: How MT Food Bank and Local Neighbors Unite to Enhance Food Access for Tribal Nations

In 2021, food banks in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming came together to create the 104 Degrees West Collaborative. Their goal is to better support Indigenous communities facing unique challenges in accessing food.

There are 23 federally recognized Native Nations in these states, each dealing with its own issues around food security and sovereignty. Gayle Carlson, the president of the Montana Food Bank Network, shared that in their first year, the collaborative focused on learning directly from tribal leaders. This helped them develop a cultural training series for food bank staff and board members.

Carson explained, “Our learning covered everything from the historical role of food as a weapon to identifying the right contacts within communities.” This knowledge is crucial for truly understanding and addressing the needs of these communities.

In 2024, the Montana Food Bank Network distributed over 1.7 million pounds of food on the state’s reservations. Given the vast and rural nature of these areas, Carlson noted that sometimes, it’s more effective to partner with local agencies rather than deliver food directly. The region spans nearly 400,000 square miles, making access to services a significant challenge for many residents. Public transportation is limited, and traveling long distances to grocery stores can be extremely difficult.

Additionally, the Montana Food Bank Network is working with the Blackfeet Nation, focusing on food sovereignty through traditional foods like bison. Their efforts highlight the importance of culturally relevant food access, which can greatly affect community well-being and health.

In Tennessee, communities are responding to changes in food assistance. After Governor Bill Lee opted the state out of the federal Summer EBT program, local organizations are stepping in to help families in need. This program previously provided $40 each month for food assistance to children out of school during summer break. The loss of this funding, about $75 million, is a big blow to vulnerable families.

Ella Clay, director of the nonprofit Healing Minds and Souls, emphasized the impact on her service area in ZIP code 37208, which struggles with food insecurity. Her organization offers 500 meals a week, along with personal hygiene and household products. “We have food and resources to help our community,” she said.

Almost 700,000 children benefited from the Summer EBT program last year. Instead of this federal assistance, Governor Lee proposed a state-funded $120 one-time payment for eligible families. However, local organizations, like the Nashville Food Project, are committed to providing meals to kids throughout the summer grassroots efforts. They collaborate with 50 partners to deliver nearly 7,000 meals weekly.

In Ohio, a concerning trend is emerging. Many SNAP recipients are losing benefits due to electronic skimming fraud. Criminals are installing devices on grocery store terminals, stealing people’s EBT card information. Audrey Vanzant from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks pointed out that many victims don’t realize they’ve been targeted until their accounts are drained.

Before, federal funds helped recover these lost benefits, but that support ended in December. Now, over 27,000 Ohio residents have been impacted, costing taxpayers around $14 million. Authorities are taking action, indicting individuals involved in large-scale fraud. They’re also considering security upgrades to protect recipients, such as chip-enabled EBT cards.

While state officials work on solutions, SNAP recipients are advised to monitor their balances closely and report any suspicious activity. For those needing help managing their cards, the Ohio Job and Family Services website provides instructions on how to lock and unlock EBT cards for security.