Town Pump Charitable Foundation News

Town Pump Charitable Foundation Extends $130,000 in Emergency Grants to Support Montana Shelters During Cold Weather

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 01:41:57 GMT

Butte, MT (January 16, 2024)

Recognizing the increased strain on Montana's homeless shelters and warming centers due to recent extreme weather, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation today announced the allocation of $130,000 in emergency grants to 13 critical service providers across the state.

"With winter's harsh impact evident throughout Montana, our shelters and warming centers have faced substantial resource demands," stated Bill McGladdery, spokesman for Town Pump. "These emergency grants aim to address mounting staffing costs, food shortages, and higher utility expenses incurred as they tirelessly deliver vital services to our most vulnerable community members."

"Recognizing the long winter still before us, these grants are intended to bridge critical gaps," added McGladdery. "We hope they will allow these organizations to sustain their exceptional service and ensure uninterrupted support for Montanans experiencing homelessness throughout the remaining cold months."

The following organizations have each been awarded a $10,000 grant:

• Kalispell Warming Shelter

• Samaritan House – Kalispell

• Poverello Center – Missoula

• Hope Rescue Mission – Missoula

• Johnson Street Warming Shelter – Missoula

• God’s Love Shelter – Helena

• Butte Rescue Mission

• Bozeman Warming Shelter

• Livingston Warming Shelter

• Tongue River Emergency Shelter – Forsyth

• City of Hamilton

• Butte Rescue Mission

• Great Falls Rescue Mission

2021 Year In Review Now Available

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 11:30:02 GMT

Our 2021 Annual Report will be in newspapers across Montana this morning.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is so proud of everything we have been able to to help Montanans in 2021, and we can't wait to accomplish so much more in 2022.

Thank you to all the organizations whose work we are able to uplift and highlight, and to all the volunteers who put so much of their hearts and souls into helping others across Montana. Thanks also to every Town Pump team member -- you are all integral to everything we do.

Food Bank Campaign Featured in Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 17:41:13 GMT

In the News

OCTOBER 19, 2021 - Article by Juliana Sukut, Bozeman Chronicle Business and Health Reporter. VIEW ORIGINAL

When the Gallatin Valley Food Bank opened in 1982 it served about 500 households for the entire year. Now, the food bank serves about 1,200 households every month, said Jill Holder, the food and nutrition director with the Human Resource Development Council, the nonprofit organization that runs the food bank.

Operating the increasingly busy food bank — from keeping lights and appliances on to fueling its vans or paying staff — is expensive and much of the budget relies on donations from Bozemanites.

So, it’s a big deal for the food bank when an organization promises to match community donations for several months, Holder said.

Through Nov. 30, any monetary donations made to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank will be matched by the Town Pump Charitable Foundation, as part of its “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need” campaign. The foundation is matching up to $40,000 in donations to the food bank.

Donations can be made directly to the food bank, at any Town Pump or its subsidiary casinos: Lucky Lil’s, Montana Lil’s or Magic Diamond.

In 2020, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation matched $35,000 in donations to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank while Bozeman Town Pump customers, who could donate $1 with every purchase, raised about $51,000, Holder said.

“It’s our single largest donation every year,” Holder said.

Holder said the money from the fundraiser makes up a “sizable chunk” in covering GVFB’s yearly costs, and said the majority of the money goes to operational costs.

“It keeps the freezers and coolers running, it’s paid the staff and keeps gas in the food rescue rig,” she said.

In addition to Town Pump’s fundraiser, the food bank will hold the Can the Griz food drive from Nov. 6 to Nov. 20, the annual friendly competition with Missoula to donate more pounds of food to local food banks.

In 2020, the Griz won, collecting more than 250,000 pounds of food than the Cats.

“It’ll give us some leverage to say: ‘if you make a donation, Town Pump will match this amount and you’ll help us Can the Griz,’” Holder joked.

With Gallatin County’s rapid growth and the ongoing pandemic, the need for food resources has been greater than ever, she said.

During last fiscal year — July 2020 to June 2021 — the food bank distributed nearly 16,000 food boxes.

During 2019 to 2020, the food bank distributed just shy of 14,000 boxes, according to its annual report.

This year, the food bank has also been seeing about 80 to 120 new families using its services each month.

“For me it’s comforting that our community believes in the food bank and in helping people, are are willing to back it up,” Holder said.

Town Pump will also match $12,500 to the Headwaters Area Food Bank in Three Forks; $3,000 to the Big Sky Community Food Bank and $17,500 for the Livingston Food Resource Center, said Bill McGladdery, a Town Pump spokesperson.

In its 20th year, the campaign has raised over $40 million for food banks across the state, including about $8 million in match grants from Town Pump’s charitable arm.

Town Pump will also be raising money by asking its customers for $1 donations or round up to the nearest dollar through the end of November.

“We believe in meeting the basic needs of our Montana neighbors. Certainly, supporting these food banks to provide nourishing meals to our neighbors is very important,” McGladdery said.

20 Years of Montanans Helping Montanans - Gearing Up for the Town Pump Food Bank Campaign

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 22:00:02 GMT

Twenty years ago Town Pump began what has become an annual campaign to raise funds for food banks across Montana.

In 2002 the campaign started with 17 food bank partners in 15 Montana communities and a Town Pump Charitable Foundation match of $50,000. In 2021, we are working with 103 food bank partners and a Town Pump Charitable Foundation match of $1 million dollars.

All of us at Town Pump wish to recognize the hard work and commitment of all of the food bank team members across the state in serving the needs of the food insecure in Montana. They are truly Montanans Helping Montanans! Thank you for the work you do every day to help our neighbors.

With 1 in 9 Montanans (1 in six Montana children) experiencing food insecurity Team Town Pump is ready to roll up our sleeves and work with food bank partners to raise the much needed funds.

From October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021 Town Pump team members work with their local food bank partners to raise funds over and above their share of the $1 million dollar in grants. Town Pump team members hope to raise over $500,000 in additional funding for our food bank partners.

Town Pump team members will be asking our very generous customers, casino players and hotel guests for $1 donations in October and November. These donations are then forwarded to the food bank partners in the communities they are collected in. With everyone’s help we will be able to raise $500,000 for Montana Food Banks

Meals for Backpacks Grant Applications Requested

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 22:00:32 GMT

Helping Kids Learn by Filling a Need

It's 65 hours from the time school ends on Friday until it starts on Monday morning. Many students rely on breakfasts and lunches served at school for daily meals. Weekend meal programs exist to provide two breakfasts and two lunches for children at risk of weekend hunger.

In its sixth year, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation’s “Meals for Backpacks” program provides funding to schools, food banks, and civic organizations to help support their weekend meals program.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation will be awarding a total of $500,000 in 2021 for “Meals for Backpacks” programs.

Grant applications are open from August 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Grant applications can be found at www.townpumpfoundation.com/backpacks .

Town Pump Supports BSB COVID Sweepstakes

media@townpump.com (BRITTANY RAUCH) — Thu, 06 May 2021 15:45:56 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 5/5/2021

May 5, 2021 – Butte, MT: Town Pump is pleased to join BSB Chief Executive J. P. Gallagher, county health officer Karen Sullivan and Butte-Silver Bow leaders to participate in the county’s COVID vaccination public education program and sweepstakes drawings.

The goal of the Butte-Silver Bow government is to increase the level of vaccinations in the county which have proven to be highly effective in keeping people safe from the COVID virus.

Town Pump will be matching Butte-Silver Bow’s contribution of $500,000 through the Town Pump Charitable Foundation.

Since the onset of the COVID virus nearly 4,100 of our Butte neighbors tested positive for the virus and 85 Butte neighbors have lost their lives to the virus. Many area residents still battle the effects of the virus.

The COVID virus has also had a negative economic impact on many Butte area small businesses. The Montana Folk Festival and An Ri’ Ra were both cancelled in 2020 and 2021. Athletic events at Butte High, Butte Central and Montana Tech have also been restricted because of the virus.

The mission of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is to help meet the basic needs of Montana citizens. Supporting Butte-Silver Bow’s public education efforts to encourage greater vaccination participation meets the foundation’s goal of building a healthier and stronger Butte community.

Contact:

Bill McGladdery

Town Pump, Inc.

600 South Main Street

Butte, MT 59701

406.497.6951

billm@townpump.com

Nearly $4 Million Raised During 2019 Campaign

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 20:47:56 GMT

Montana takes "be a friend in deed, help those in need" to heart

Partnering with 85 food banks and food pantries in 72 Montana communities nearly $4 million was raised during the 2019 campaign. This includes over $750,000 in matching funds from Town Pump. In 18 years, more than $33 million has been given to the food banks of Montana including $6.75 million in matching funds committed by Town Pump.

The annual fundraiser was started with two goals. First to provide funds for food banks to help our hungry neighbors and second, to raise awareness of hunger in Montana.

Town Pump understands that a food bank does not keep its doors open through food donations alone. This is why we have committed to bring much needed cash funds to assist with expenses such as building rent, utilities, purchasing bulk food items and perishable food items including meat, produce, dairy and bread.

In 2019 over $400,000 was donated by Town Pump’s generous customers at Town Pump Stores, Casinos, and Hotels. All funds raised, including matching funds are used locally where the funds were collected.

Final four weeks of our “Be A Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need” campaign

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 17:43:02 GMT

We are entering the final four weeks of our “Be A Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need” campaign to raise funds for our 85 food bank partners in 73 communities across Montana. Thank you all for your continued support.

CMMC nearing two goals with 3D mammography

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 19:25:39 GMT

By Miriam Campan, Reporter Lewistown News - Argus

Medical Center Foundation Director Ann Tuss, Radiology Technician Marita Heggem, Director of Ancillary Services Rick Poss, and General Surgeon and Program Director Dr. Scott Smith are part of the united team to bring a nationally standardized level of care to CMMC.

Photo by Miriam Campan

Town Pump & Wells Fargo Join Together to Support Montana Veterans

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 22:27:46 GMT

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation and Wells Fargo have joined together to secure an wheel chair accessible van for the Poverello Center in Missoula. The Poverello Center serves veterans at both the Valor House and Housing Montana Heroes. This van will help with transporting wheel chair bound veterans with transportation to doctors’ offices and other appointments in the Missoula area. “We owe a debt to our veterans that cannot be repaid,” said Town Pump Foundation director Bill McGladdery. “The Veteran Services team at the Poverello Center offers excellent support to our veterans. We are pleased that the Poverello Center staff could bring us together with Wells Fargo to help provide transportation for our Montana Heroes,” he continued.

Town Pump grant adds Hose Monster to Fire Department arsenal

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 06:00:00 GMT

A Little Hose Monster is on display Monday at the Havre Fire Department in Havre. The Hose Monster was given to the department via a grant from Town Pump.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has donated $2,600 worth of equipment to the Havre Fire Department through a grant program, and Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Courtnage said the city's firefighters have already put their new Little Hose Monster to use.

Havre's Hose Monster is a part of a 10-piece hydrant flow testing bundle that is used "to measure water flow-rate and to diffuse and divert discharge water in fire pump testing, fire flow testing, and main flushing," according to The Hose Monster Company website.

The device is meant to help measure water pressure levels in fire hydrants, which is a process the fire department goes through each year, Courtnage said.

Courtnage, who was approved by Havre City Council as assistant fire chief Monday, said the previous set of equipment was at least eight to 10 years old and that the Hose Monster provides advantages over older models of equipment.

"It's a safer product because it diffuses the water better than the old one," Courtnage said. "It gives us more control."

A crew has already tested out the device at Montana State University-Northern, and they will be putting it to good use later in the summer when the department begins flushing fire hydrants around town.

Courtnage said flushing hydrants has two main benefits; first, it helps clear any rust or old water from the city's pipes, and second, it allows the department to test the water pressure levels of each hydrant so that they know what to expect when responding to a fire.

"We want to know how much pressure is coming out of it, whether it's low pressure versus high pressure," Courtnage said, adding that the knowledge of a hydrant's pressure helps firefighters make decisions while working because having enough water to fight a fire is critically important to the job.

This is not the first time the Fire Department has received a Town Pump Grant.

"We've received grants from them before," Courtnage said. "We've gotten gloves before, we've gotten jackets before."

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation, which was established in 1999, gives grants to non-profit and government organizations around the state of Montana to help provide basic needs for communities. The foundation donated a total of $500,000 to fire departments in the state in 2017.

Superior Fire Department gets a new AED defibrillator

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 18:49:19 GMT

With a grant from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation, the Superior Fire Department was able to purchase a new AED Defibrillator. The Superior C-store and Lucky Lil's presented Steve Temple with a check. We are proud to support the communities we do business in. #montananshelpingmontanas #townpumpmt #montanasbest

Town Pump Donates to Bozeman Warming Center

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:16:39 GMT

Citing the high demands placed on the Bozeman Warming Center due to the frigid winter conditions, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation has made an emergency grant in the amount of $15,000 to the center. The check was presented to the Bozeman Warming Center on Tuesday afternoon by representatives of Town Pump businesses in Bozeman and Belgrade. James Gameon, district manager for Town Pump, stated “We share the shelters goal in not having to turn people away and we hope that this donation can help the Warming Center stay open through winter.” “The mission of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is to assist in meeting the basic needs of Montanans” said Bill McGladdery corporate communications director for Town Pump. He continued, “This donation not only meets the criteria of our foundation but our commitment to being part of our communities.”

Town Pump Supports Summer Reading Programs

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:07:19 GMT

Educators refer to the summer months as the “academically vulnerable summer months.” Often times the children experience what is called the summer slide; where the skills they learned during the school year start to diminish. To combat this, schools and public libraries across the state conduct summer reading programs to help the students retain their reading skills.

In Billings the program is called Reading Rocks and last year Reading Rocks held 45 sessions in six city parks and distributed 3,417 books. The children also receive a snack or meal.

This summer the Bridger Public Library has a 2019 theme of “ Space…A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing .” The program is open to children 3 – 12 and will include the use of space themed books, an inflatable solar system and kits for DIY paper mache telescopes.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation supports these summer reading programs and programs in Dillon, Big Timber, Havre, Kalispell, Colstrip, Columbia Falls and other communities. The grants to these communities and others supports the mission of the foundation by providing financial support to Montana charitable or governmental organizations with a priority of supporting/meeting basic needs and education for Montana citizens.