Youth in Need Program

Youth in Need Program

In 2014, Rotarians Doug Alexander and Mitch Godfrey discovered a growing need at Bozeman High School — students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. And as Rotarians do, they stepped up to help.

It started simply. Members of the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club were asked to grab a few extra non-perishable items while grocery shopping. On the first Friday of each month, Doug, Mitch, Robb Miller, Bob Wiersma and other dedicated Rotarians gathered the donations and delivered boxes of food to the local high schools.

But as the cost of living in Bozeman continued to rise, so did the number of students in need — reaching nearly 200 students by 2025. What began as a few extra boxes of granola bars and ramen quickly grew into something much bigger.

Today, the program provides grocery cards to students at Bozeman High School, Gallatin High School, and Belgrade High School. Each school now has a dedicated space called “The Shelves,” where students can access food, clothing, school supplies, and personal care items in a safe and supportive environment.

The Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club also helps provide coats and shoes to the students in need. With the support of a school counselor, students can choose a coat and pair of shoes through an online retailer, and the items are delivered directly to them — offering both warmth and dignity.

In partnership with Red Wing Shoes, the club also supplies boots to each of The Shelves.

What began as a small act of kindness has grown into a powerful community effort — making sure local students have the support they need to thrive.

March 2026 – Submitted by Lucas Foust, co-supply coordinator for the program