Town Pump raising $3 million for food banks statewide

Press release

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes to raise more than $3 million in its 16th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including District 4 Human Resources Development Council’s Havre Community Food Bank and the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

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 more than $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.

The Foundation will match up to $7,500 on behalf of the Havre Food Bank, and $1,000 on behalf of Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, for a total of $8,500 in Havre. All funds raised in Havre will remain in the community.

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 fundraiser is always a big help to the Havre Food Bank,” said Lorna Bjerga, of the Havre Food Bank. “The funds raised help us through the holidays to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to our families in need. This money also sustains us for the winter months when donations are down. We greatly appreciate Town Pump for everything that they do for the food banks and the people of Montana.”

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 are being collected at Havre Town Pumps; Lucky Lil’s, Montana Lil’s and Magic Diamond casinos; and TownHouse 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.