A new logo, increased marketing and stronger awareness of Helena Food Share will lead to increases on both sides of the supply-demand equation for the agency, the chair of the board of directors said Thursday.

At a morning unveiling of a new logo and Web site, Chris Heisel said the goal of the agency is to create a hunger-free community.

“And the main way to achieve that is more awareness,” Heisel said. “We need to reach out to people who need us who don’t have that awareness, and make the whole community know that we’re here, we have a huge need, and that they can help out with money, with food or by volunteering.”

Several dozen volunteers, board members and leaders from across Helena’s nonprofit community were on hand for Thursday’s ceremony, which Food Share director Ann Waickman said promotes the “hunger-free community” vision to a more prominent place on the agency’s agenda.

“This should no longer be hidden,” she said. “This is what we believe in, and it is what the community has supported for the past 22 years. There is no reason for our neighbors to go hungry, ever.”

The work on display was the result of several months of work by professionals across town who combined to provide an Excellence in Nonprofit Corporations grant to Food Share. The pilot grant program, facilitated by the Montana Nonprofit Association, was started a year ago as a way for businesses to contribute goods and services to a worthy agency.

Lee Huber of Cinch Design created the green and gold logo, which features the “creating a hunger-free community” slogan beneath a bunch of grapes, an apple and a loaf of bread.

“What we’re trying to do is come up with something that has some familiar elements, but give it a more consolidated, updated look,” Huber said.

The new Web site, helenafoodshare.org, is a first for the agency. It was designed by Toby Johnson of Johnson & Associates, and Waickman said that in addition to being up and ready to accept donations, the site includes information on all of Food Share’s programs, hours of operation, and everything a hungry family would need to get help.

John MacDonald of the Gallatin Group and Glenna Obie of Articulink provided some lessons on marketing and public relations, and Toni Broadbent of Allegra Print & Imaging donated signage.

“Instead of money, what we have received is an incredible amount of very high-end professional assistance,” Waickman said.

It’s been a busy year for Food Share, where Waickman said the number of monthly visits is up 25 percent over a year ago. The nonprofit opened a food pantry in East Helena earlier this year, and also this year initiated a mobile food pantry that serves two senior homes weekly.

“What we are trying to do is bring the food closer to those in need,” Waickman said. “It will be a long-term process. We have to have the capacity to meet each step we take.”

Helena Food Share distributed 1.4 million pounds of food over the 12 months ending in June, nearly half of which was donated by stores and a quarter of which came from community members and food drives.

Reporter John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com