How to Donate Food

We envision a community where everyone is food secure.

We are always accepting donations at Missoula Food Bank & Community Center. We rely on these donations throughout the year to keep our shelves stocked and provide people with the food they need.

Donations can be dropped off at our store Monday through Friday:

1720 Wyoming Street, Missoula, MT 59801 (Kiddy corner from Westside Lanes / down the street from Home Resource)

For easy unloading, please drop off donations at our donation door located on the backside of our building (through our alley).

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8am – 7 pm

Wednesday & Friday: 8 am – 3 pm


Orange Street Food Farm (701 South Orange Street) has a collection bin at their store near the entrance!

Seasonally, tons of schools, businesses, and offices host drop off locations supporting Can the Cats. 

It's always a good time of year to support the food bank! See our Organize a Food Drive page to learn more about starting a drive and registering your group.

Most Needed Items

At Missoula Food Bank & Community Center, we rely on donations throughout the year to keep our shelves stocked, and to provide the people who come through our doors with the food that they need. We gratefully accept any and all nonperishable donations (and properly handled perishable donations).

We also strive to provide those that we serve with the best possible nutrition, and have worked with nutritionists and health professionals to make sure that the foods we offer are healthy and nourishing.

The following list of foods is a suggestion for the types of food that would be most helpful in providing the best possible nutrition to our customers:

  • Canned Tuna or Meat

  • Peanut Butter

  • Canned Soup (Low/No Sodium)

  • Canned or Dry Beans

  • Canned Vegetables (Low/No Sodium)

  • Dry Cereal

  • Baby Food & Formula

  • Personal Care Items (shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene products, etc.)

  • Tomato Sauce

  • Cooking Oil

  • Low-fat Salad Dressings

  • Canned Chili

  • Oatmeal

  • Pasta

  • Flour

  • Sugar

  • Whole-grain items

  • Gluten-Free items

  • Low Sodium/Low Sugar items

You can also download a printable handout version (PDF).


To ensure food safety, we cannot accept the following:

  • Rusty or unlabeled cans
  • Homemade items
  • Noncommercial packaged or canned items
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Open or used items
  • Any Canned Goods 2 years past expiration date Any Dry Goods (Cake mixes, crackers, etc.) 1 year past expiration date

Facts On
Food Insecurity

How do we source our food?

17% is purchased via monetary donations

46% is rescued from restaurants and grocery stores

24% is funded through government entities and 

13% is donated by community members like you!