Responding to the severe strain on the state’s food banks during the coronavirus pandemic, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation stepped in to provide $1 million in immediate grants to its food bank partners. These grants were announced April 3, 2020.
The money was sent directly to 100 food banks, food pantries and shelters in 83 Montana communities. These grants did not require any community matching funds.
“This is Montanans helping Montanans,” Foundation Director Bill McGladdery said. “Town Pump recognizes the urgency to help out our neighbors now as food insecurity grows in this unprecedented emergency.”
Food bank representatives said the pandemic has put additional financial strains on families who were already vulnerable and needing food assistance. They also said monetary donations allow for needed versatility, allowing them to purchase what food they need.
In three weeks prior to Town Pump Foundation announcing these grants, Helena Food Share Executive Director Bruce Day said, the number of families served with emergency food boxes had grown 30 percent. At the same time, he said, food banks were experiencing gaps in the sources of food available to distribute.
“Having the resources to be able to purchase food and ensure a steady supply is so important now,” he said.
Many local food banks and Town Pump collaborate with the Montana Food Bank Network. The network’s purchasing power equals about $5 in food for each $1 spent by a food bank.
Grants awarded during the fall annual “Be A Friend In Deed, Help Those In Need” campaign were not impacted by these grants.
