MISSOULA, Mont. – 97 basic needs organizations across Montana will receive a combined total of $382,000 tomorrow as part of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation’s Holiday Giving Program.
The Holiday Giving Program is intended to provide financial resources for food banks, food pantries, rescue missions, shelters, and Salvation Army organizations to ensure Montana’s most vulnerable individuals and families receive nutritious food during the holiday season.
“Higher costs on just about everything has led to a growing demand for basic needs services in every corner of Montana,” Foundation Executive Director Jon Bennion said. “There are really two goals of this Holiday Giving Program. First, to get resources into the hands of the staff and volunteers of critically important organizations now with the winter months approaching. Additionally, we hope other charities, businesses, and individuals will join with us to donate their own resources and volunteer their time to the basic needs organization in their area. Montana is a state of 1 million+ neighbors, and many of our neighbors are in need of help.”
According to the Montana Food Bank Network, an estimated 1 in 8 Montanans, including 1 in 6 children in our state, face food insecurity. Good nutrition, particularly in the early years of life, is important for establishing a solid foundation that affects a child’s future physical and mental health, academic achievement, and economic productivity. More than 58,000 Montanans live in areas that have limited access to a grocery store or supermarket, making access to fresh, affordable food a daily challenge.
2026 Holiday Giving Recipients (PDF)
About the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. The Foundation strives to better the human condition by supporting programs and services that give people the tools to enhance the quality of their lives and to benefit society as a whole. Funding for the Foundation comes from personal contributions from the Washington family and annual contributions from The Washington Companies. Since its inception in 1988, the Foundation has distributed over $636 million in grants to nonprofit organizations.
