Town Pump matching $1 million for food banks

Press release

Editor’s note: This version corrects the Post Office Box and gives the address of Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

As Montana’s food banks deal with record demand in the wake of soaring food costs and other everyday expenses, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $1 million to help raise $4 million during its annual fundraising campaign for food banks and kitchens, including Havre Community Food Bank and Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

More than 100 food banks statewide are participating this year in the “Be A Friend in Deed” campaign, which began in 2001. The campaign has raised over $44 million for Montana food banks in 20 years, including about $9 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. Organizers of the campaign, which runs through Nov. 30, hope to raise $4 million for the food banks this year.

Locally, the Foundation is matching up to $12,500 for Havre Community Food Bank and $1,500 for Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen for a total of $14,000. All funds raised in Havre stay in the 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.

“Rising costs of groceries and other household items is pushing more families than ever before to our local food banks,” said Bill McGladdery, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “Please join Town Pump and our dedicated food bank partners in making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors by donating today at our businesses or directly to the food banks. Food insecurity can happen to anyone.”

Donations are being collected at local Town Pumps, Lucky Lil’s, Magic Diamond and

Montana Lil’s casinos, and the Quality Inn.

Donations can be made directly to Havre Food Bank, 2229 Fifth Ave., or the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 223, Havre, MT 59501 and at 611 Second St., both in Havre, 59501.