Nutrition and Emergency Services
Nutrition services are available to meet the needs of people of all ages and varying health conditions. Proper nutrition is critical for promoting good health, and for preventing and managing disease. If your doctor recommends nutrition counseling, or if you or a family member feel you need to improve your dietary habits, there is help available. Registered dietitians and nutrition educators provide counseling on healthy eating for all ages, special nutrition needs for people with diet restrictions due to illness, and weight management. Food assistance programs are available for people who cannot afford to buy food.
Nutrition Programs and Income Requirements (PDF)
Nutrition Information - Food Pyramid (PDF)
2-1-1/First Call for Help Dial 2-1-1
Hours: Calls are taken weekdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free, confidential telephone information and referral links anyone in need to human services designed to meet those needs in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli Counties.
Child Care Resources
127 E. Main St., Ste. 314. 728-6446 or 1-800-728-6446
Comprehensive child care support services to families and providers in Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral Counties. Services include: the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, which reimburses registered providers for meals served to children in daycare; on-site nurse consultant services; referrals to childcare; childcare subsidies assistance; Early Childhood Development Program; and Resource Lending Library.
Food Stamps
2677 Palmer St., Ste. 100, 329-1200
Food stamps to supplement your food budget. Income eligibility is near 130% poverty. Resources such as bank accounts and vehicles may be considered to determine eligibility.
Head Start
1001 Worden Ave., 728-5460
Children receive meals and snacks, educational, health, and family services. Classrooms are in Missoula and Deer Lodge. Home-based programs serve Thompson Falls, Plains, Superior, Seeley, Deer Lodge and Missoula. Income eligibility is at or below 100% poverty.
Meals on Wheels, Missoula Aging Services
337 Stephens Ave., 728-7682 or 1-800-551-3191
www.missoulaagingservices.org
Volunteers for Missoula Aging Services deliver hot, nutritious meals weekdays for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Special diets and weekend meals are also available. A voluntary contribution toward meals is suggested based on income levels. Services are also available in the Seeley Lake, Potomac, Frenchtown, Clinton and Condon areas.
Missoula Health Department
www.co.missoula.mt.us/healthpromo
National Youth Sports Program, 243-2804
Offers summer sports camp with daily snacks and meals for low-income children. Limited enrollment. Enrollment begins Apr. 1, ends May 31.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST
Missoula County Schools, 728-2400 ext. 3051
(Elementary, Middle and High School students)
Missoula County Rural Schools
Seeley Lake (406)677-2265, Sunset (406)244-5542
Swan Valley (406)754-2320 serves milk.
Breakfasts are available in some Missoula schools at free, reduced and full price.
SCHOOL LUNCH
Missoula County Schools, 728-2400
Missoula County Rural Schools.Seeley Lake (406)677-2265 Potomac (406)244-5581, Sunset (406)244-5542
Swan Valley (406)754-2320 serves milk.
Some Missoula County Schools offer lunches at free, reduced or full price. Free and reduced lunch qualifications are the same as free and reduced breakfast.
Human Resource Council/Summer Food Service, 728-3710
Free lunch to children age 1-18 from mid-June to mid-August at selected schools weekdays. Meals are served from 11:30-12:45. No income verification or application required.
EMERGENCY FOOD & CLOTHING
These locally funded agencies offer immediate service to those in crisis situations.
Expedited Food Stamps
Missoula County Office of Public Assistance
2677 Palmer St., Ste. 100, 329-1200
If no income or low income, you may be eligible for immediate appointment and stamps will be delivered in 5 working days.
Goodwill Industries
2300 Brooks St., 549-6969
Household items and clothing for purchase only. Employment and training for disabled. Agencies may request assistance for families in severe need.
Missoula Food Bank
219 S. 3rd St. W, 549-0543
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mon & Tues 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
A three-day food supply for those who are unable to afford food. Some form of identification is required. No income verification is required.
Poverello Center
535 Ryman St., 728-1809
Hours: Noon meals provided Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. and Sun 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Evening meals provided 7 days a week 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Food boxes and referrals for those in crisis are provided according to need and availability Mon-Fri 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. and by emergency request; Clothing for those in crisis is also provided according to need and availability Mon and Thurs 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and by emergency request; Free clinic through Partnership Health Mon-Fri 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Night and day shelter in men’s and women’s dorms - adults only. No income verification required for any program.
Salvation Army Social Services
339 W. Broadway, 549-0710
Provides emergency clothing, household items and food to people in need. Also provides homeless assistance by meeting basic emergency needs for food, clothing, shelter, rental assistance, transportation, prescriptions, laundry facilities and toiletries. Inquire at the office to find out what kind of assistance is available.
Senior Information Line and Resource Center
Missoula Aging Services
337 Stephens Ave, 728-7682
www.missoulaagingservices.org
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Provides assistance to seniors, families of seniors or caregivers needing resource information. The Senior Information Line has over 600 resources listed in the database covering all aspects of senior needs. From transportation to Medicare insurance counseling, the trained staff can assist in finding answers.
NUTRITION EDUCATION & GARDENING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Gardening services is a local growing effort designed to increase self-reliance and promote locally grown fresh produce.
Clark Fork River Farmer’s Market
Riverside Parking lot by the Clark Fork River and Caras Park, 396-2954 or 542-0539
Hours: Saturdays 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
(Mid-May through mid-October)
Offers locally raised beef, lamb, bison, pork and poultry as well as organic dairy products, locally made baked goods and sausages and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Bedding plants, fresh flowers, coffee, hot lunch items and wool goods are also available in the market. Vendors accept farmer’s market coupons offered to senior citizens through Missoula Aging Services. Free parking.
Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Rd., 327-4325
Outpatient nutrition counseling for special health care needs and to help all ages make healthy lifestyle choices. Hourly fee for service. Medicaid covers this service for children under 21.
Diabetes Management Program , Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Rd., 327-4325
Program to assist people with diabetes to make lifestyle changes to manage their disease. A nurse educator and nutritionist assist individuals to actively manage their diabetes.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
2825 Santa Fe Ct., 258-4208
Free program for limited resource families with children under age 19 or pregnant women. Learn how to stretch your food dollars, choose foods that keep your family healthy and plan nutritious meals. Youth programs are available for school-aged children.
The Farmer’s Market
North end of Higgins Ave., 777-2636
Hours: Saturday morning 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Mid-May through Mid-October) and Tuesday evenings from 5:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. (July & August)
A market for growers to sell locally grown produce. Coupons for produce are available to eligible individuals and families through Missoula Aging Services (728-7682).
Garden City Harvest, 523-FOOD www.gardencityharvest.org
The community garden network has 5 community garden sites where we teach people to grow their own vegetables on a plot costing $25 for the summer. Call for garden locations. Volunteer for Veggies - for every 4 hours of volunteer time given at any community garden an individual earns ½ share of a local organic produce from the garden. Volunteer for Veggies opportunities are also available at the GCH/EVST PEAS farms.
Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD)
629 Phillips St., 721-7513
Provides resources and education for sustainable living. MUD offers workshops on self-reliant living skills, organic gardening and use of appropriate technologies that conserve natural resources. MUD offers a 16-week class for cognitively and physically disabled adults. MUD also offers a MUD coffee grounds recycling program and directs the North Missoula Tool Library.
Western Montana Clinic Nutrition
515 W. Front St., 721-5600
Individual nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian for medical conditions or wellness. Specializing in pediatrics, diabetes, and heart disease. Children on Medicaid are seen at no charge.
WIC - Women, Infant and Children Nutrition Program
301 W. Alder St. 258-4740 or 1-800-823-4740
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., noon & evening appointments available
Nutrition education referrals and healthy foods for pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women, and infants & children under 5 at the Missoula Health Department, South Reserve Area, Frenchtown, Lolo, Clinton, Philipsburg, Drummond, Seeley Lake and Community Center at the UM. Income eligibility is 185% of poverty.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Contact the organizations below for help in managing a healthy weight and for supplemental medical management of serious eating disorders.
Bariatric Surgery Program
St. Patrick Hospital, 500 W. Broadway, 329-5866
www.saintpatrick.org
There is a misconception that the body weight of obese adults is determined by their unhealthy food habits & conscious and unconscious desires. However, the cause of morbid obesity remains unknown. While there is no cure for this disease, there is help. “Morbid” obesity is when a person is at least 100 pounds overweight, or has a Body Mass Index of 40 or more. Morbid obesity is a major health concern, affecting over 4 million people in the U.S. And morbidly obese people usually have other health problems, too, such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux, incontinence, arthritis, infertility and some cancers. Morbid obesity is a serious disease.
Living Big, Weigh Less Program:
A Partnership for Success, 543-7116
A fun and affordable way to learn health habits that last. This is an inside-out approach to weight loss that assists you in breaking through your roadblocks to success.
Outpatient Nutrition Center, Community Medical Center,
2827 Fort Missoula Rd., 327-4325
Outpatient nutrition counseling for special health care needs or weight management. Helps all ages make healthy lifestyle changes.
Overeaters Anonymous
Meetings held at the following times and places:
Mondays, 5:30 p.m.—St. Patrick Hospital, Conference room D, contact Rhonda at 777-0486
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - St. Stephen’s Church, 203 Main St., Stevensville, contact Jacquie at (406)777-7160
Wednesdays, 12 noon - UM University Center Lounge, Room 222, contact Kristen at 251-2069
Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - St. Paul’s Church, 202 Brooks St., contact Patricia at 543-5509
Fridays, 12 noon - 1 p.m. - St. Patrick Hospital, Conference Room C, contact Maxine at 721-7354
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St., Hamilton, contact Janette at 363-6059
Student Health Services Eating Disorders
Support Program, 243-4711
Provides education, support, counseling, and psychological services to U of M students.
TOPS
Take Off Pounds Sensibly No. 428 meets 10 am Tuesday, First Methodist Church, 300 E. Main St., lower level. Fees are $3 a month with a $27 annual fee. Call 549-3706. Other Tops meetings in the area include:
No. 177, Missoula, 6:30 p.m. Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church, 2512 Sunset Ln. 543-1435
No. 200, Seeley Lake, Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
Mission Bible Church 677-2526
No. 343, Stevensville, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
Baptist Community Church 273-5403
No. 546, Hamilton, Wednesday, 5:45 p.m.
82 Silverberry St. 363-2668
No. 549, Frenchtown, Monday, 6 p.m.
Frenchtown Community Church 626-2549
No. 525, Charlo, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
D’Aste Catholic Chuch 644-2323
No. 417. Ronan, Thursday, 9:15 a.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church 676-4510
No. 202, Plains, Friday, 11:15 a.m.
Church of God 826-3564
No. 551, Plains, Thursday, 5:45 p.m.
First Security Bank 826-0284
No. 544, Hot Springs, Wednesday, 5:45 p.m.
Hot Springs Fitness 741-2659
No. 541, Thompson Falls, 11 a.m.
Community Congregational Church 827-4620
Weight Watchers, 1-800-651-6000
www.weightwatchers.com
Group meetings and educational information to assist you in losing weight.
