Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Valley News at a Glance

Scholarships donated to Hamilton Higher Education Center

Crisis for Montana Food Bank Network

Human Interactive Products, Inc., (HIPinc), a Hamilton company, has made a donation to the University of Montana Foundation that will be used exclusively for scholarships for students taking courses at the Hamilton Higher Education Center (HHEC). The scholarship money is the first donation to a student financial aid fund set up specifically for the University of Montana program in the Bitterroot Valley.

According to Frank Laurence, Acting Director of the HHEC, only a few of the program's students qualify for federal student loans. One reason is that in the first semester of the HHEC program the number of courses is limited and therefore most of the HHEC students are taking fewer than six credits worth of courses. Six credits is the threshold for qualifying for federal loan assistance. New students enrolling in January as well as returning students from the fall semester are invited to apply for the scholarship-grants.

Students may qualify for awards ranging from $400 to $600, based on need. The scholarship grants are designed to encourage students to take a second three-credit course. The tuition expense for a three-credit course is less than $350.

Jim Olsen, President of HIPinc, owns the Hamilton Carriage House, a conference center and professional office building where the HHEC has its director's office. Some HHEC courses are taught there, others are taught at the Hamilton High School. Olsen's company specializes in identifying new Hamilton and Bitterroot Valley businesses and community services, providing initial financial support as well as professional planning. Among the company's projects are the Bitterroot Ecological Awareness Resource (BEAR), Supporters of Abuse Free Environments (SAFE), and "Emma's House," which is the Bitterroot Children's Advocacy Center. Another current project is helping the Hamilton Performing Arts Center develop a business plan.

Looking to the future, Laurence hopes that the HIPinc intitiative encourages other businesses, individuals, family foundations and civic organizations in the Bitterroot Valley to donate to the scholarship fund. All money donated to UM Foundation scholarships goes to the students who qualify for the scholarships and grants. None of the money is held back for administrative costs.

Students with a high school diploma or GED scores may enroll by an "open admission" policy to HHEC courses. Registration for spring semester is going on now. Students must gather their high school transcripts, transcripts from any other colleges they have attended, and their immunization records. Classes for spring semester start January 22 and for students registering for college courses for the first time the process may seem complicated, according to Laurence.

"Realistically," Laurence cautions, "if new students wait until mid-January to decide, I worry that they won't be able to complete the registration process in time." But Laurence and the UM College of Technology Outreach staff can help.

All HHEC courses earn credits towards University of Montana and/or UM College of Technology degrees, including an Associate degree, earned with 60 credits, and the Baccalaureate degree, 120 credits. All applications and student records are processed by the University of Montana Admissions and Registrar offices.

All prospective HHEC students wishing to apply for scholarships must file a standard financial need form used by the University Financial Aid Office and also write a statement about their education plans.

For information about registration for courses or concerning the scholarships students may call Frank Laurence at 363-5410, ext. 115; or call the Outreach Office at UM College of Technology, 243-7812.

A blown engine in one of two semi-trucks used to pick up donated food from around the country and distribute it to charitable agencies across Montana has crippled the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) during its busiest time of year.

“With one semi out of commission we can barely keep up with our regular deliveries,” said Peggy Grimes, Executive Director of the state-wide Montana Food Bank Network. “This will really hinder our ability to pick up new donations from our sources out of state. Once the current supply of food in our warehouse is gone, all the 189 agencies we serve across the state will be affected by the lack of transportation.”

The 1995 Freightliner, which was bought used and currently has over 600,000 miles on it, will cost between $12,000 and $15,000 to rebuild and may not be worth repairing. “There’s no money in the budget for this extensive repair bill or to buy a new one,” said Emily McKeever, MFBN’s Director of Finance. 

“At the same time as we face these huge repair bills, we are experiencing a reduction in donations due to the tough economy,” McKeever said. Year to date donations to the MFBN are down 26 percent from last year. 

Meanwhile the demand for food from agencies around the state continues to rise. “In 2006 we distributed over 3.5 million pounds of food across the state. This year we will only be able to do 88% of that because we only have one truck,” stated Grimes. “If there is any one out there who can help us fix this truck or get a replacement, there are tens of thousands of hungry Montanans who will benefit.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation toward the truck can call Grimes at 721-3825 or send their donation directly to the Montana Food Bank Network, 5625 Expressway, Missoula MT 59802. All donations are tax-deductible.

The Montana Food Bank Network, located at 5625 Expressway, secures and distributes nearly 3.5 million pounds of donated and low cost food and grocery products annually to 189 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana. The Network works to meet the immediate need for food while advocating at the local, state, and national level for policy changes to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity in Montana. The Montana Food Bank Network is a member of America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network. For more on the Montana Food Bank Network, visit www.montanafoodbanknetwork.org.