Town Pump providing additional $1 million to food banks

Responding to the severe strain on the state’s food banks caused by the loss of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is providing $1 million in immediate emergency grants to its food bank partners, including the Libby Food Pantry.

These grants are in addition to the $1.25 million in matching grants that will be made in December as part of the Foundation’s 24th annual “Be A Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need” fundraising campaign for food banks. The new grant money has already been sent directly to 123 food banks, food pantries and shelters in about 90 Montana communities.

Locally, the Foundation’s new emergency grant has provided $8,000 to the Libby Food Pantry.

Food bank representatives said the loss of SNAP benefits has pushed many more families who were already vulnerable and needing food assistance to the food banks. They also said that with the holiday season nearing, the money will help provide holiday meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas and meals for school children who are out of school over winter break. The state’s senior citizens are being hit particularly hard during the SNAP crisis, the food banks reported.

“This is Montanans helping Montanans,” said Bill McGladdery, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “Town Pump recognizes the urgency to help out our neighbors now as food insecurity grows in this unforeseen emergency. Also, please continue to make donations to your local food bank through Nov. 30 at any Town Pump store; Lucky Lil’s, Montana Lil’s, or Lucky Logger casinos; or at a Town Pump-managed hotel.”