Empower Place

We envision a community that embraces food justice where social safety net programs are recognized as part of the solution.


EmPower Place is a hands-on family learning center located at Missoula Food Bank & Community Center and is a collaborative effort by spectrUM Discovery Area, Missoula Food Bank & Community Center and Missoula Public Library. Dedicated to nourishing the bodies and minds of local children and families, it is one part community center, one part science museum, one part food hub, and one part library. 

Read our collaboration story

Rich with science exhibits, role models from the University of Montana, literacy and STEM programming, and books for children, young adults, and parents, EmPower Place offers enriching experiences free of charge to all Missoula families.

Hours

EmPower Place Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Meals at EmPower Place:

EmPower Place is a distributor of free after school and school's out meals. All kids enjoying a meal must stay and eat in EmPower Place. Grab & Go meals are not available to take out of EmPower Place, but don't worry! We have tons of fun activities to share while you eat! EmPower Packs are available to grab and take home with on Fridays for the weekend.

Meals served in EmPower Place when school is in session:

  • Mon/Tues/Thurs 2:30pm - 6:00pm

Meals served in EmPower Place on no-school days or during the summer:

  • Mon/Tues/Thurs Lunch 10:00am - 2:00pm
  • Mon/Tues/Thurs Dinner/Supper 2:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Wed/Fri Lunch 10:00am - 1:00pm

No School Days and days that EmPower Place will be closed in April 2026:
Please note that we follow the MCPS elementary school calendar for school's out days, and the national holiday calendar, coinciding with Missoula Food Bank & Community Center, for days that we are closed.

  • April 6-10 Spring Break! No school all week.
  • EmPower Place is open M-F all month.

Child in Montana Grizzlies T-shirt plays with wooden cars in EmPower Place
Two young boys display their foam core creation with the EmPower Place ball wall gleaming behind them
Children gather at a table creating eternal jellyfish out of reused plastic water bottles as EmPower Place staff distributes food.
Children seated in bright green chairs, listen in as Miss Dacia reads a story book during Indigenous Storytime.

What's Happening in EmPower Place?

Calendar of Activities

Read aloud with Missoula Public Library

Wander in the World of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics!

Get ready to make a mess with Kevin! Build armor, construct catapults, & carve out castles this month!

Nestle in to hear of far-away worlds! Dress up to take part in the story!

Interested in volunteering?

If you are interested in being in a fun, interactive space with children and their families, please email marcus@missoulafoodbank.org (Volunteer Coordinator). We are looking for volunteers that can be involved any day (Monday – Friday) anytime between 9:30am – 6:30pm. No childcare experience required, just a desire to interact with kids and families in our community. 

Volunteering in the space requires a few hours of training beforehand to learn about safety measures, sanitation needs and protocols for interacting with children.

Contact Marcus to Volunteer

spectrUM EmPower Place Award Video

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EmPower Place

In the past year, we welcomed visits from 5,104 local families, connecting neighbors to food access, community building, and amazing programming. We heard Indigenous Storytelling with Miss Dacia, painted with chemistry with SpectrUM, and told Tiny Tales with Missoula Public Library