Helping those in need

For the month of December we have teamed up with the Gallatin Valley Food Bank to help feed the hungry.  To follow what the Food Bank is doing and what you can do to help, please log on to www.gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org .  They have a wish list that is updated frequently, check it out.  I cannot imagine how a parent must feel that cannot afford food for their children.  Or how it would feel to be an elderly person that have worked hard their whole life and yet cannot make ends meet now.  It is such a basic necessity and yet there are many in this valley that are in this situation.  The numbers have certainly risen due to these hard economic times.  Here is a basic illustration of some statistics for Food Bank Usage in 2009.  These numbers have gone up in the last year.
Gallatin Valley Food Bank Highlights (2009)

Number of emergency food boxes distributed	13,253
Average number of NEW families requesting assistance at the Food Bank each month	154
Average number of households served per weekday	53.3
Percent of households with children	34.30%
Percent of households that are elderly	3.92%
Percent of households that listed unemployment as the most common reason for visiting the Food Bank in 2009	36.9%

We are hoping that all of you will stop in and enjoy a complimentary latte for your food donation, besides that, we always love bellying up to our "Spa Bar" with our guests.  The stories fly, and being a salon, there might be some interesting gossip flying around as well!  Just kidding, well kind of.  Also we will give $5 off if you are coming in for a service, or enjoy $5 off a future service.  I strongly believe in philanthropy and I know that in this season of giving, it makes everyone feel better to help those in need.  Helping those in our community will always improve conditions for everyone.  It has been proven that crime decreases, student scores increase, and there are many other benefits.