Town Pump's Food Bank fund-raiser hits $1.15 million

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation, in partnership with food banks across Montana, raised a record $1.15 million to help feed Montana's hungry.

The Community Food Pantry in Plains received $6,902, including a $3,000 Foundation match, and the Mineral Community Food Bank in Superior received $5,575, including a $2,000 Foundation match. The Community Food Pantry, located at the Assembly of God Church, is run by Shannon Allen. In Superior, Mary McClammy heads the Mineral County Food Bank.

"To raise over $1 million in two months is very impressive," said Maureen Kenneally, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation.

"We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the thousands of Montanans who so generously contributed to the food bank fund-raiser."

The money is used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. And it helps many food bank organizations operate with payment of rent, utilities, storage, refrigeration and freezer space.

The total for the sixth annual "Be a Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need" campaign, which ended Nov. 30, included a $250,000 matching donation from the Foundation. Money was collected at all Town Pump locations, including its convenience stores, casinos, and motels.

The 2007 campaign raised about $200,000 more than the previous year and brings the six-year total to nearly $3.5 million for Montana food banks. The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has contributed $850,000 to the campaigns in those six years.

"Our goal every year is two-fold," added Kenneally. "To raise funds to help feed our hungry neighbors and to raise awareness about the hunger issue in Montana in general. Thanks to the generosity of individual Montanans, those goals have been met in resounding fashion."