Food Bank Under Investigation

Services Limited To Community Residents

The Culbertson Food Bank will no longer be offering services to area residents living outside Bainville, Culbertson and Froid.

Individuals hoping to receive foodstuffs or other donations will have to show proof of residency within the organization’s revised service area.

According to food bank volunteer Leslie Bengochea, county residents with mailing addresses in the aforementioned communities are still eligible to receive goods.

Bengochea said the changes took effect Nov. 1.

“If they have any bill or ID that proves any of those areas, they will be served,” said Bengochea. She said the changes come in response to a drop in donations from the Fort Peck Tribes.

“The tribes chose to not help fund the Culbertson Food Bank,” said Bengochea. “As volunteers trying to figure out how to serve the recipients, we decided to stay with our regular service area of Culbertson, Froid and Bainville because those are communities that help keep food on the shelves.”

An Oct. 14 email from Fort Peck Tribes chief financial officer Randall R. Redpath informed the food bank that it would not be receiving the annual $25,000 donation from tribal government: “I regret to inform you that the Fort Peck Tribes will not be providing the Culbertson Food Bank with the $25,000 annual donation at this time,” wrote Redpath. “Therefore, please do not come to the tribal building requesting this payment. If you should have any questions, please contact the Roosevelt County Attorney’s Office.”

Redpath could not be reached for comment at press time.

Roosevelt County Attorney Austin Knudsen told the Northern Plains Independent

that the food bank is currently under investigation.

“My office has received information about suspicious income,” said Knudsen.

He confirmed that an investigation into the matter is ongoing. No charges have been filed.