Craft show collects cans for those in need
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POLSON – The holiday season was in full swing on Saturday as folks displayed their wares at the craft fair and donated cash and food items to the Polson Food Pantry.
“We added the food drive to benefit people in need,” said Cammy Maughan, fair coordinator. “There are a lot of families that need help this time of year.”
Polson Food Bank Board President Mary Martin was happy to accept the donation for the food bank. She said that more than 300 families receive food assistance each month on average. In January of last year, 516 families were served, which was 1,193 people and 23,513 pounds of food.
“The need continues to grow,” she said.
The food bank provides help for people in many circumstances.
“Some people come in once or twice to get back on their feet and others like our seniors or disabled are always going to need help,” she said.
The Food Pantry tries to help out a little more this time of year with a holiday meal basket.
“People come in to pick up groceries and they also get a Christmas dinner,” she said. “We have plenty of stuffing and turkeys, but we could use more olives, canned fruit and condiments.”
During the year, the food bank is always in need of peanut butter and cereal, if anyone wants to make a donation. Cash donations are also accepted in person or mailed to 904 1st St. E., Polson, MT 59860.
“We really appreciate the backing of this community,” she said. “We couldn’t do this without them. People are just wonderful.”
During the craft fair, many craft items were on display including recycled sweater gloves, rings made of spoons, beaded moccasins, photography and more. Aaron Broxterman played the guitar to add a nice tune to the festive environment.
Tammy Doll sat in front of her crocheted items for sale, making another hat. She finds the repetition relaxing.
“This is my favorite thing to do, but my family would go crazy if I didn’t do something with this,” she said explaining that the people in her family can only wear so many crocheted items so she decided to sell some to the public.
Lynn Johnson had a few dozen birds hanging around her station with a fox and a couple raccoons. She has a background in wildlife biology and decided to replicate nature with needle felting. She said craft fairs are a way to share a hobby with the public.
“Some people can make a living (selling crafts) but most don’t,” she said. “We do it because it’s the thing that we love to do.”
