The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes to raise more than $3 million in its 14th annual fundraising campaign for Montana food banks, including the Flathead Food Bank and the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry in the Flathead Valley.

A record 75 food banks are participating in the statewide Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those In Need campaign this year.

The campaign has raised about $20 million for food banks statewide in 13 years, including $3.3 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 made 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 money raised in the Kalispell area 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 simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing.

“The Town Pump organization has been an incredible partner with the Flathead Food Bank,” said Lori Botkin, executive director of the Flathead Food Bank. “Each fall for the last 14 years they have been instrumental in helping to fundraise for us, raising well over $50,000 each year.”

The Be a Friend Indeed campaign and the matching support from Town Pump Charitable Foundation also provides nutritious food boxes and a special holiday food box for clients of the Veterans Food Pantry.

“A job loss, an illness, an injury or any number of unforeseen events often leads to hunger in Montana families,” said Maureen Kenneally of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation.

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, MT 59901; and to the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry, 1349 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

“Through the dedicated efforts of Town Pump’s food bank partners and the generosity of thousands of Montanans, we are making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.”