The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes to raise over $3 million in its 13th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including the Flathead Food Bank and the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

A record 73 food banks are participating in the statewide “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those In Need” campaign this year.

The campaign has raised about $16 million for food banks statewide in 12 years, including $2.8 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation.

As part of this year’s campaign, the foundation will match up to $500,000 in contributions to participating Montana food banks now through Nov. 30.

The foundation will match up to $20,000 on behalf of the Flathead Food Bank and $5,000 on behalf of Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry. All funds raised in Kalispell will remain in the community.

The money is used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. The money is becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations stay open through payment of rent, utilities and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing.

“Many residents wait to contribute until this time of year to ensure their donations are matched by the Town Pump Foundation,” said Sherry Schauble with the Flathead Food Bank. The local organization has also purchased an old school bus and retrofitted it into a mobile food bank that serves outlying areas.

The Veterans Food Pantry supplies monthly, holiday and Stand Down food boxes to each qualifying family.

“Thanks to the Be a Friend Indeed campaign and the matching support from Town Pump Charitable Foundation our clients will be able to enjoy nutritious and much needed food boxes and a special holiday food box,” said Linda Erickson with the Veterans Food Pantry.

“Many Montana families don’t have enough to eat,” said Maureen Kenneally with the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “Through the dedicated efforts of our food bank partners and the generosity of thousands of Montanans we are making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.”

Donations for the campaign are being collected at Kalispell Town Pumps and Lucky Lil’s, Montana Lil’s, Lucky Logger and Magic Diamond casinos.

Donations also can be made directly to the Flathead Food Bank, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Suite 2, Kalispell, 59901; or to the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry, 1349 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell, 59901.