Town Pump Food Stores Pump Up Support for Montana Food Banks

"Fantastic news during these challenging times." That's how the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) reacted to a $25,000 Grant from Town Pump Charitable Foundation. The gift is intended to help cover rising fuel costs and keep MFBN's delivery drivers on the road delivering much need food to over 340 food banks, food pantries, senior centers, shelters and schools across Montana’s 56 counties.

In announcing the grant, Bill McGladdery of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation stated, “We understand the impact that the rising cost of transportation is having on food banks across Montana. Our goal with this grant is to help reduce some of the transportation expense and allow food banks to use more of their funds for purchasing food products for their clients.”

“In May of 2021, a gallon of diesel was $2.41 per gallon, " said Brent Weisgram, Vice President and COO of MFBN.  "Today, that same gallon of diesel is $5.49 – more than double in cost. As a nonprofit charity, we don’t have the ability to pass on that tremendous extra expense to the customer, and our trucks need a lot of diesel fuel to deliver food across the Big Sky State."

Everyone today is feeling the strain record inflation. Weisgram said Montana's food banks are seeing the largest numbers of families and individuals since the height of the pandemic in 2020.  "Thanks to the continual support and generosity provided by Town Pump, this generous donation will allow us to keep our tanks full and our trucks on the road bringing much needed groceries and fresh produce to our neighbors on a daily basis," Weisgram said.

MFBN acquires and distributes food statewide through a network of over 340 food banks, food pantries, senior centers, shelters and schools. MFBN also operates numerous programs like school BackPack Program, Mail-a-Meal and Hunters Against Hunger, reaching targeted populations and communities across the state.

Visit www.mfbn.org to learn more.

Town Pump Inc. is a private Montana-based company that operates  truck stops, gas stations, casinos, hotels and convenience stores in over 200 locations, including Shelby, Cut Bank, Browning and Conrad. The Town Pump Charitable Foundation was established in 1999 with the mission of providing financial support to Montana charitable or governmental organizations with a priority of supporting/meeting basic needs and education for Montana citizens.

The Montana Food Bank Network is one of the dozens of organizations with fundraising Montana vehicle license plates available.

You can purchase the "Stand Up Against Hunger" plate when you renew your vehicle registration at your county treasurer's office. The purchase fee for specialty plates goes to the sponsoring organization.