Town Pump Matching $1 Million For Food Banks

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, including the Whitehall Area Food Pantry and the Sincerely Paul Feeding His Sheep food pantry in Whitehall.

Over 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 $6,000 for Whitehall Area Food Pantry and $1,500 for Sincerely Paul Feeding His Sheep for a community total of $7,500. All funds raised in Whitehall remain 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 can be made at local Town Pumps and Lucky Lil's, contact Bill McGladdery 497-6700, or they can be made directly to Whitehall Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 266, Whitehall, MT 59759, contact Cara Sacry 287-3270; and to Sincerely Paul, 313 E. First, Whitehall, MT 59759, contact Vicki Rabenstein 909-446-5005.