Town Pump grants $2 million to combat Montana hunger
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. | October 30, 2025 12:00 AM
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is providing $2 million in grants this fall to combat hunger in Montana, including local Ronan and Polson food banks.
The Foundation is matching $1.2 million to help raise $4 million during its annual Help Those in Need fundraising campaign for Montana food banks. During this month the foundation awarded 110 grants totaling $874,000 for organizations around the state to fund its 2025 Meals for Backpacks program.
Within Lake County the Foundation is matching up to $15,000 for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, $3,500 for the Ksanka Food Pantry in Polson and $10,000 for the Bread Basket Food Pantry in Ronan. The Town Pump press release stated that all the funds raised locally will remain in respective communities.
A record number of 123 food banks in Montana are participating this year in the Help Those in Need campaign. The campaign has raised $56 million for Montana food banks since 2001, including over $13 million in matching Foundation grants.
“Our local food banks are working at maximum capacity serving more and more families dealing with rising costs of groceries and other household items,” stated Bill McGladdery, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation in the Town Pump press lease. “Please join Town Pump and our dedicated food bank partners in making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors by donating today at our businesses or directly to your local food bank.”
Donations can be made at local Town Pumps, directly to the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank at 904 1st Street East in Polson or at the Bread Basket Food Pantry, 10 6th Avenue South West, Ronan.
The Meal for Backpacks program supports schools, food banks and service organizations that provide weekend meal programs for school children in Montana. The program usually includes two breakfasts, two lunches and a snack to replace the meals children would receive at school.
“By providing kids with the nutrients they need when they are away from school, they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn,” McGladdery stated.
Additionally, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation granted $12,000 to Loaves and Fishes and $10,000 to the Bread Basket to provide weekend meals.
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