With the lapse in SNAP benefits shining a spotlight on food insecurity, a Montana nonprofit group is getting creative with getting food to people who need it.

Bozeman-based Hopa Mountain invests in rural and tribal citizen leaders to help strengthen their communities.

Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer, executive director of the group, said the number of people visiting food pantries has grown since COVID, so they have been raising funds to support them.

"We have definitely ramped it up in the last couple weeks," Sachatello-Sawyer pointed out. "We are looking to continue to build partnerships with food pantries, farmers and ranchers, and families that are in a position to buy food and help get it to their local food pantry."

Sachatello-Sawyer noted she has seen thousands of Montanans step up to meet the need, from pop-up food pantries at coffee shops to community groups filling backpacks so kids have fresh, nutritious food on weekends. Hopa Mountain is issuing emergency grants to food pantries in rural communities and small grants to Montana farmers and ranchers with locally grown food to sell.

She added Hopa Mountain is coordinating with local food hubs, including producer cooperatives collecting local food and selling it.

"You can see a list of them at a website that we developed called BuyLocalFoodMT.com, and it's an easy way to figure out what's available close to you and purchase that and use it for your family, and share it with others too," Sachatello-Sawyer explained.

Sachatello-Sawyer believes it is essential for everyone to help reduce food insecurity, especially with the delay in SNAP funds this month due to the government shutdown.

"It's an incredibly important moment for us to come together and do our best in support of one another," Sachatello-Sawyer stressed. "I know that's something Montanans love to do."