“As a working mother and student, I was faced with additional stress when my family's financial circumstances changed drastically. Although the changes were relatively short-lived, we experienced the hardship of choosing whether to pay our mortgage and utilities or buy groceries for our family of 5. I am grateful for the nutritional and emotional relief that the GFCMSU Food Pantry was able to provide for us.
My children were aware of some of our financial hardships, but luckily never had to experience the physical and emotional stress of lack of food. The experience has made them more aware of what many people in our community may deal with on a daily basis and they said more than once, ‘we are so lucky your school can help us like this’!“
- Allison McKnight, Great Falls College MSU Nursing Student, 2017
Going to school is financially challenging and it involves more than paying for tuition, books, and fees. Having adequate money for rent, food, transportation, utilities, daycare and other basic needs is essential to your success while you complete your coursework at Great Falls College MSU. Make sure to utilize the resources available to you to help manage your personal financial needs.
They include:
- Talking to your advisor. Even if he or she doesn’t have a solution for your problem, they most likely could help point you to a resource in the community.
- If you are in an urgent situation, and you need help now, please contact any of the following resources:
Access To: | Food/Meals | Housing | Counseling | Connect With Other Needed Services |
| Great Falls College Food Pantry | To all Great Falls College MSU students. Need to present your ID card. | No | No | Limited information |
| YWCA | To women who are in an abusive relationship and their children | To women who are in an abusive relationship and their children | To women who are in an abusive relationship and their children | To women who are in an abusive relationship and their children |
| Helping Hands Food Pantry | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Voices of Hope | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Great Falls Rescue Mission | Yes | Yes | No | Some |
| Family Promise | For families with children | For families with children | Yes | Yes |
| Great Falls College Veteran Center | No | No | No | For Great Falls College MSU Veteran students |
Tools | Hours | Contact Information |
| Great Falls College Food Pantry | Stop in 9:30-2pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Call 9 am-5 pm to make an appointment | Office of Student Engagement (406) 771-4302 studentengagement@gfcmsu.edu2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls Room: B104 |
| YWCA (Mercy Home) | Hotline: 24 hours a day Business Hours M-F 9 am-5 pm | ReceptionistHotline: (800) 352-7449 or (406) 453-1018 |
| Helping Hands Food Pantry | Monday-Thursday: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Michele Raymes(406) 453-9551 felc@bresnan.net 726 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls 59401 |
| Voices of Hope- MT 211 | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | Jackie FitzgeraldHotline: (406) 453-4357 Business Line: (406) 268-1330 & (406) 231-1986 jackie@voicesofhope.info P.O. Box 1788, Great Falls, MT 59403 |
| Great Falls Rescue Mission | Business Hours: 8am-5pm Answer Phone: 8 am-9 pm | ReceptionistMen’s Shelter: (406) 761-0095 Women & Families Shelter: (406) 452-1483 Business Line: (406) 761-2653 contactus@greatfallsrescuemission.org 408 2nd Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59405 |
| Family Promise | 8 am-5 pm everyday | Sharron Odden(406) 866-0288 sharon@familypromisegf.org 1025 Central Avenue, Great Falls 59401 |
| Great Falls College Veteran Center | Mon - Wed: 8:30 - 1:30 Thurs: 8:30 - 12:30 | Kevin Lyons - Veterans Success Coach(406) 771-4434 |
Disclaimer: Great Falls College Montana State University does not endorse or claim responsibility for the services provided by these local community resources. Since contact information can change, please be aware that the most accurate information will always be found by contacting the specific service.