No Western Heritage Days this year, food programs still need help

The annual Western Heritage Days festival will not take place this year. One of Stevensville’s signature events for more than three decades, the festival could not muster enough volunteer support to take the place of retiring organizers.

The event was known for providing a rollicking good time in downtown Stevensville, with the unique Chuck Wagon Cook-off and presentations by Salish dancers and drummers as mainstay attractions, along with a street dance and more.

Each year organizers would select a worthy project to be the recipient of the proceeds. In the last few years, the event benefited Stevensville and Lone Rock’s school Backpack and Pantry programs, which distribute supplemental food for children experiencing food insecurity. Western Heritage Days proceeds also went to the Stevi Food Program, which distributes extra food and snacks to children and families throughout the year. 

Without help from Western Heritage Days, these programs are in even greater need for donations.

“We definitely would benefit from continuing to receive community support to fund the backpack program,” said Lee Starck, elementary counselor at Stevensville who runs the backpack program. “Costs continue to rise, and we have a stable/increasing need among school students/families. Funding would be preferred instead of in-kind donations at this time of year. During the school year, in-kind donations can also be really helpful.”

Starck said donation checks can be made out to Stevensville Schools Backpack and Pantry Programming – and can be dropped off with Sam Mewes at the Stevensville School District office or mailed to: 300 Park St. Stevensville, MT 59870.

Fran Schmitz, director of the Stevi Food Program, said that her group of volunteers anticipates handing out about 70 supplemental food bags each week this summer.

“We are very grateful for a $5,000 grant we recently received from the Rapp Family Foundation through Project 59870,” said Schmitz, “but we will need more to ensure food is distributed all summer. The 70 meals a week will cost us $660 per week or just over $2500 a month. Those numbers could go up if the need is greater than anticipated.”

Monetary donations can be made at Farmers State Bank in Stevensville under the Stevi Food Program. Food donations can be dropped off at Burnt Fork Market and First Security Bank in Stevensville. The donation box at Super 1 Foods was removed by the manager and so far Schmitz has not been able to get it replaced. 

“I will be getting with Main Street businesses about a food drive the week Western Heritage Days would have taken place, June 19th to 24th,” said Schmitz. “We were able to collect a lot of food and also received $2500 so we will need to work to replace donations from that event. We appreciate your past donations and hope you will consider making an additional donation.”

Schmitz said the Stevi Food Program recently received 501c3 designation from the IRS so donations are now tax-deductible and this will also help with grant eligibility. Questions can be emailed to stevifoodprogram@gmail.com and you can follow Stevi Food Program on Facebook.

Finally, an event has been scheduled for Saturday, June 24th for those of you who are missing Western Heritage Days and want to get out and have fun and support a good cause. “Hoedown for the Howells” will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Rocky Mountain Bank parking lot. Former Bitterroot Star owner Michael Howell, who in 1989 organized the first Western Heritage Days with his wife Victoria, was critically injured in a car wreck on April 2nd and is still recovering after five major surgeries. Funds raised from the “Hoedown” will help the Howells with related expenses. There will be a pie auction, beer garden, and music by DJ Bea. For more information contact Joan Prather at 406-531-8401.