BILLINGS - Q2 is teaming up with Billings Family Service and Masterlube to kick of a massive fundraising and food drive on Thursday.
Our goal? $12,000 and 12,000 pounds of food in one day.
From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. we will be collecting non-perishable and not expired foods at all Masterlube Billings and Laurel locations and downtown at the KTVQ studios. The drive is specifically looking for kid-friendly foods such as chicken noodle soup, cereal, granola bars and goldfish crackers.
The drive is a chance for the Billings community to come together by digging into their pocketbooks and cupboards to help support those in need during this time of uncertainty and COVID-19.
“When the beginning of COVID started and the shelves were pretty much cleared out by people who had the ability to do bulk shopping,” said Executive Director of Billings Family Service, Stacy Brown.
Family Service has been in the Billings community for more than 100 years and is currently the longest serving nonprofit organizations in the state.
Brown says when the pandemic hit the need for families increased because shelves became bare and everyone everywhere tightened their belts.
“We are finding that more and more people are finding it harder and harder to feed their families,” she said.
Many turned once again to Billings Family Service for help. Brown says last year alone Family Service doled out 3 million pounds of food to families.
But because of COVID-19 she anticipates that number will double this year.
And really, that’s just fine, because giving is what they do.
“For us and for our volunteers it’s a feeling of gratitude,” she said. “We are so thankful that we can help the people.”
One box of food provided by Family Service can save a family up to $300 in grocery costs. Brown says it’s important that in times of need families instead focus on other critical services like housing.
In March of 2020 alone - at the height of the pandemic - Family Service helped feed 7,000 families.
“It makes me emotional, but at the end of the day we talk about how we were able to help families that were so thankful,” she said. “So I am not sure who’s more thankful, the people receiving or us being able to give it.”
So on Thursday during the Q2 Double Down for Kids Food Drive she wants others in Billings to also feel how good giving can be.
“It’s an opportunity for all to share and to come together and to make sure that we are all okay.”
Brown, along with us at Q2 and our community partners at Masterlube, hope that Billings will show up to help keep shelves stocked and families fed.
“This is an all out easy, drive to Masterlube drop-off your bag of treats,” said Brown. “Its a very special feeling to be able to give."
