Celeste McLean knows that when you plant seeds with love and care, good things will grow. In fact, Celeste’s home vegetable garden grew so well that her family simply couldn’t keep up eating everything she was harvesting. 

When she showed up to the food bank with 100 pounds of vegetables, the team was overwhelmed with gratitude. Then Celeste challenged herself to triple that amount—and she more than delivered. Today, she continues to donate produce to help Flathead Food Bank provide access to fresh, nutritious foods, which tend to be more expensive than less healthy options, making them hard to fit into food budgets stretched tight. 

“We believe everyone deserves to eat beautiful fresh produce, whether you’re picking it up at the food pantry, buying it at the grocery store, or harvesting it from your own backyard,” says Chris Sidmore, the food bank’s director. “These foods are also more expensive for the food bank to purchase, so generous people like Celeste really help us make the most of our resources in serving the community.” 

Celeste’s generosity and commitment to feeding her neighbors have grown beyond her garden. First, she got involved as a volunteer in the pantry, stocking shelves and assisting with food distributions. Earlier this year, when her husband passed away, she encouraged loved ones and friends to make a gift to Flathead Food Bank in lieu of flowers. 

“We have been so moved to see these memorial gifts come in,” says Kelli Worley, major gifts officer. “This is a meaningful tribute that will touch so many lives in the Flathead Valley.”