Fundraiser set for soup kitchen, food bank

Press release

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $750,000 in contributions during its 17th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including Havre Community Food Bank and the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

A record-setting 84 food banks are participating in the statewide “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need” campaign this year. The campaign has raised about $30 million for Montana food banks in 16 years, including about $5.5 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. Organizers of the campaign, which runs through Nov. 30, hope to raise over $3 million for the food banks this year.

Locally, the foundation is matching up to $1,000 on behalf of Feed My Sheep and $10,000 for the Havre Community Food Bank, for a total of $11,000 in the local community.

The money is frequently used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. Also, the funds are becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities, and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing.

“As the ‘Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need’ campaign continues to grow, so does our admiration for our food bank partners across the state,” said Mike Kenneally, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “The efforts of local food banks and the thousands of amazing Montanans who donate to the campaign each year make a real difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.”

Donations are being collected at local Town Pumps, Lucky Lil’s, Magic Diamond and Montana Lil’s casinos, and the Quality Inn.

Donations also can be made directly to Havre Food Bank, 2229 Fifth Ave., or Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 407, both in Havre, 59501.