In 1998, the Montana Food Bank Network experienced a significant increase in demand for food across the state. To help meet this need, the Network approached the 1999 Montana Legislature with the request for support in establishing a warehouse in the eastern part of the state to facilitate the increased distribution of food through its agencies. 

With a warehouse in the east, Montana is in a position to receive significant amount of donated food from the eastern part of the United States. Most of the food donated to the Montana Food Bank Network has been donated from the western states due to the ease of shipping to the Network’s warehouse in Missoula. With a warehouse in eastern Montana, donors in the east could justify the expense of delivering food to Montana. The legislature funded the establishment of the Eastern Montana Distribution Center with $25,000 over a two-year period to secure a facility and hire a part-time warehouseperson/driver. 

The Montana Food Bank Network entered into a contract with the Veterans Adminstration Facility in Miles City for about 3,500 square feet of warehouse space and the use of their warehouse person on a part-time basis to distribute food to the eastern Montana agencies.

The Eastern Montana Distribution Center is located at the VA Medical Center at 210 South Winchester in Miles City, Montana.