GREAT FALLS — There is very heavy traffic along 10th Avenue South near Holiday Village Mall, and in the parking lot.
The traffic is due to a food giveaway that began at 2 p.m. in the parking lot on the southwest side of the mall.
Among the messages we have received:
- All traffic is stopped and there's hundreds of people walking around; 40 minute drive from target to riddles jewlery
- Kristin English: It’s absolutely insane! Probably not the ideal place for this!
- Dena Wouters: It was crazy. I was stuck in it for half an hour!!!
- Michaela Simmons: It was terrible! I couldn’t even get to work!
On Wednesday, we reported that the Salvation Army of Great Falls had been selected as a regional partner to host the 'Farmers To Families' event, which will take place every week through October.
Today (Thursday) is the first day of the event, and people were told that they could line up in the Holiday Village Mall upper parking lot beginning at 2 p.m. for the four-hour event to pick up a free 25-pound box of fresh produce. Boxes include several items, including potatoes, yellow onions, apples, oranges, yams or sweet potatoes, stonefruit, strawberries, broccoli and carrots mix, and bell peppers.
There are no qualifications or income requirements to receive a box. The event will run until 6 p.m. or while supplies last. Produce is purchased and provided under the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program.
Mark King with the Salvation Army of Great Falls said they’ve been hard at work putting everything together in about a week’s time. He told MTN News that businesses and organizations around the city are coming together to help make this a community effort.
Cascade High School students and volunteers with River of Hope in Vaughn will be picking up boxes to give to people in surrounding areas.
A press release says, “The Cascade County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been asked to help with traffic control. The newly formed local Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD), a consortium of local churches and agencies active in meeting unmet needs will be providing volunteers to help with the distribution. K & K Trucking of Great Falls has generously offered the use of a refrigerated trailer to help keep the produce fresh till delivered.”
The Great Falls Police Department said in a Facebook post that event organizers are working to "come up with a distribution solution that does not create traffic hazards in the future."
