Town Pump raising $3 million for food banks statewide

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes to raise over $3 million in its 16th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including the Malta Food Bank.

About 80 food banks are participating in the statewide “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need” campaign this year. The campaign has raised over $26 million for food banks statewide in 15 years, including about $5 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. As part of this year’s campaign, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation will match up to $500,000 in contributions to participating Montana food banks made now through Nov. 30, 2017.

Locally, the Foundation will match $1,000 for the Malta Food Bank.

The money is often 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.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has been assisting the state’s food banks with their vital service since 2002.

“Thank you to our food bank partners across the state and to everyone who has made the ‘Be A Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need’ campaign such a great success over the years,” said Maureen Kenneally, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “The inspiring effort by so many is making a real difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.”

Donations for the campaign can be dropped off or sent to the Malta Food Bank, P.O. Box 925, Malta, Mont., 59538.