10/28/2026
Amy's Mess -- Bridging the Gap Together
Join us in our mission to provide essential meals and resources, directly addressing the needs of homeless families with school-aged children and fostering their journey towards a brighter, more stable future. https://amysmess.org/
HOW TO HELP
Sign Up to Make a Meal
You can sign up to help feed a family in need by contacting Amy.
Call today at 406-616-2848
Or email [email protected]
About Us https://amysmess.org/
Mission statement:
Our mission is to provide homeless families with school-aged children with nourishing meals and supportive resources, directly addressing their immediate needs and helping to pave the way to a brighter future.
Vision statement:
To bridge the gap for homeless families with school-aged children by offering nourishing meals, essential resources, and other support to foster stability and well-being.
Board:
Amy Adams - Founder/President
"I have one life and one chance to make it count for something...My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try and make a difference." - Jimmy Carter
Shana Scott- Treasurer
"I want to be a part of assisting homeless school age children feel like they fit in with their peers. As Kids, we can be put under a microscope for what we have or don't have. If I can help even in the littlest way, I want to!"
Danielle Vincent - Secretary
My heart breaks for parents who have to make sacrifices and tough decisions daily to just to survive and keep their family together. Worrying about having food to eat should not be one of them. As one person I’m limited in how I can help. But there is strength, and hope, in numbers and together we can help make our community stronger one meal at a time."
Our Story
The Heart of Amy's Mess: A Journey of Compassion and Community
Hello, my name is Amy Adams, and I am the Founder and President of Amy’s Mess. Let me tell you about our journey. Every journey has its catalyst, and Amy’s Mess began on a cold day in January 2023, not with a grand vision but with a simple, unsettling truth revealed in a routine email from our school district's superintendent, Rex Weltz. Unlike other emails, this email spoke of the hidden struggles within our community—of families and children, classmates of our sons and daughters, who were facing nights without a home or warm meals.
The reality of families with students living in hotels, huddled in campers, and kids moving from couch to couch was more than a call to action for me—it was a call to heart. Raised with the belief that faith and compassion must translate into action, I felt a profound urge to respond, not tomorrow, but today.
After days of restless thought, I reached out to Michele Zentz, our district's homeless liaison. The stories she shared were both heart-wrenching and humbling. Families were unable to cook a simple meal, and children did not have a single book to call their own—these were not just circumstances; they were cries for help.
Compelled by a deep desire to help these families in some way, I embarked on what seemed an overwhelming mission—to provide hot, lovingly made meals. When we reached out, the response was immediate and touching. Several families eagerly welcomed the gesture of a warm meal, a simple yet profound comfort.
The question loomed large: How could one person feed so many? The answer lies in the incredible power of community. I turned to social media, not as a broadcaster but as a community member, sharing my intent and seeking hands willing to help. The outpouring of support was nothing short of miraculous. Friends, family, and even strangers joined in, some cooking meals, others sending funds to buy groceries.
From February to June, we delivered hundreds of meals. We did more than fill bellies; we brought smiles, relief, and a sense of belonging. We created a memorable Valentine's Day for a father in a shelter who, with our help, could give his children toys and books and a cherished moment of joy.
As summer faded and the new school year beckoned, Michele and I geared up once more to continue and deepen our impact. We navigated challenges, like helping a family repair their camper heater and water in the dead of winter, and cheered on a young man as he ventured to the Business Professionals of America National Competition, his way paid by the generosity of our community.
The journey took a pivotal turn when Michele shared my contact with JoVonne Wagner, a reporter looking into how the community supports homeless families during the cold snaps. The resulting article in the Montana Free Press brought to light our efforts and rallied even more support from the community, particularly people eager to cook meals. The article did more than highlight our efforts—it multiplied them. New volunteers stepped forward, ready to cook, share, and care. The wave of support was overwhelming, turning a ripple of action into a tide of change.
This outpouring of community spirit is what inspired me to establish Amy’s Mess officially. What began as a response to an email has blossomed into a testament to the power of collective compassion. When I formally established Amy's Mess as a 501(c)(3), I turned to my two best friends, Shana Scott and Danielle Vincent, who share my deep belief in helping others, and asked them to join me on the board to help guide and grow our mission. We are more than a non-profit; we are a beacon of hope and an invitation to kindness.
We invite you to join us in this mission of heart and hope. Together, we can continue to weave a tapestry of care that meets immediate needs and builds a foundation of enduring support and community love.
Thank you for opening your heart to Amy’s Mess
Read News Articles at https://amysmess.org/
>> 354 Amy's Mess
https://elkinsconsulting.com/sarahs-blog.../354-amy-adams
>>Helena nonprofits, schools take action to help homeless during cold snap by JoVonne Wagner
https://montanafreepress.org/.../helena-nonprofits.../
>> Helena resident creates nonprofit continuing her mission to feed students, families
Our Impact
Our Roots:
Before Amy’s Mess was officially founded, our team was already deeply involved in community service, providing hundreds of meals to families in need. Our official launch as a nonprofit builds on this strong foundation, aiming to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Statements:
This is from Michele Zentz, the school district homeless liaison:
"Amy's community service group has been invaluable for several Helena School District families experiencing homelessness. This has included preparing and delivering one-pan meals for families in campers and motels up to 3 times per week. They've also helped families purchase groceries and help with simple car repairs. Additionally, they donated funds to help a student experiencing homelessness participate in a school program that traveled to Washington, DC. Lastly, they supplemented funds to repair the heater and water pump in a motorhome that housed three medically compromised school-aged children during the coldest part of last winter. Having them as a community partner has been a huge relief."
Quote from a family:
"Amy was able to help us more than I could imagine. She helped get our laundry completed and able to help get our furnace worked on. During this time we also had one of our daughters end up in the hospital, she went above and had meals brought in for my husband, and through this time she never made us feel bad for our situation."
Our Programs
Join Us in Nourishing Our Students:
Support the School Pantry Initiative
At Amy’s Mess, we believe in the power of community to make a profound difference in the lives of those around us—especially our youngest members. We are excited to announce a new initiative to ensure no student goes through their school day hungry or lacking necessities. We are establishing a Needs Pantry in every school within the Helena School District.
What is a Needs Pantry?
A Needs Pantry is a dedicated space within each school that provides snacks, quick meals, and basic hygiene necessities—free of charge—to students in need. These resources are crucial for students who might otherwise go without, helping them focus on their studies, not their hardships.
How Can You Help?
We are calling on our incredible community to come together and support this vital initiative:
Monetary Donations: You can easily contribute financially via our website. Every dollar helps us keep the pantries well-stocked.
Direct Donations: If you're local and prefer a hands-on approach, you can purchase items and donate them directly to the school of your choice. This personal touch makes a big difference!
Consolidated Drop-offs: If not, you can hand over your items to me, and I will organize a combined delivery to the schools. This method helps streamline the process and ensures all contributions are distributed efficiently and effectively.
Spread the Word: Share our mission with friends, family, and local businesses. Encourage them to contribute if they can.
Local Businesses
We invite local businesses to support this cause. Your support can significantly impact the well-being of our students and showcase your commitment to the community.
Parents and Guardians
An email and flyer detailing how you can contribute will be sent to each family within the district. These flyers will also accompany your children home. This is a beautiful opportunity to teach our children about compassion and community support.
Together, we can ensure that every student has access to the nourishment and care they need within their school. Your support not only fills pantries but also fills hearts with hope and gratitude.
Thank you for standing with Amy’s Mess as we expand our efforts to touch more lives and build a stronger, healthier community. Your generosity fuels our mission and changes lives.
Sign Up to Make a Meal
You can sign up to help feed a family in need by contacting Amy.
Call today at 406-616-2848
Or email [email protected]
HOW TO HELP
Please Sign Up to Feed a Family
https://amysmess.org/ See less
Join us in our mission to provide essential meals and resources, directly addressing the needs of homeless families with school-aged children and fostering their journey towards a brighter, more stable future.
