Town Pump collects $650,000 for food banks
Pub Date: 4/1/2006
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation, in partnership with food banks across Montana including the Butte Food Bank and Butte Rescue Mission, raised $650,000 for food banks statewide in the recently concluded fundraiser campaign.
The total for the fourth annual Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need campaign included a $150,000 matching donation from the Foundation.
Money was collected at Town Pump locations statewide, including Town Pump Food Stores, Comfort Inns, Town House Inns, Super 8 Motels, Country Skillet Restaurants, and Magic Diamond, Lucky Lil s, Montana Lil s, Lady Lil s and Lucky Logger casinos.
In addition, 47 food banks in over 50 communities participated and benefited.
The campaign raised $275,000 more than the previous year and brings the four-year total to more than $1.4 million for Montana food banks. The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has contributed $400,000 to the campaigns in the last four years.
This campaign continues to be tremendously helpful to us, said Jim Cortese, co-director of the Butte Food Bank. Though we are in need of donations the year around, the Town Pump fundraiser is one of the main resources we rely on in the fall. Their support has been wonderful.
The Town Pump fundraiser is huge benefit to us, said Frank Cotton, co-director of the Butte Rescue Mission. The money is vital to us to help cover our operating expenses.
We are truly grateful to all the Montanans who contributed to our fourth annual food bank fundraiser, said Maureen Kenneally, spokesperson for Town Pump. The campaign raised a record amount of much-needed money for our state's food banks, which is amazing considering all the additional donations people have made to the world s disaster relief efforts in the last year, she said.
Kenneally added that Town Pump Inc. will continue our partnership with community food banks across Montana in order to raise awareness of the hunger issues here and to raise funds.
Cash donations are necessary for food banks to keep their doors open, Kenneally added, by helping them pay rent and utilities. The cash also allows food banks to buy fresh food when they need it.
With the support of our customers, together we are making a difference in the lives of our Montana neighbors, Kenneally said.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.