When times get tough, it is often the simple things that make the biggest difference, such as a bag of groceries, a warm meal, or a neighbor willing to lend a hand. For the Community Food Bank of Mineral County, those helping hands are becoming more important every year.

The food bank is once again partnering with the Town Pump Charitable Foundation for the 25th annual Be a Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need campaign. For local donors, the fundraiser offers an opportunity to make their dollars go twice as far. Town Pump will match every dollar raised for the food bank up to $9,000, during the campaign running through Nov. 30. That means a $10 donation can become $20 for the local food bank. Money that can be turned directly into food and resources for Mineral County residents who need a little help keeping food on the table.

According to the food bank, the most recent census information shows that 13.4% of Mineral County residents live below the poverty line. The poverty rate for local children is 21.9%. In August alone, they served 200 people consisting of 80 seniors, 72 adults and 48 children under the age of 18. Those clients represented 90 households, with 4,195 pounds of food distributed. 

On average, the food bank serves more than 1,800 clients each year, and that number is expected to increase. Rising food, insurance, gasoline and utility costs are putting additional pressure on families and individuals already struggling to make ends meet. Changes in SNAP benefits have also contributed to an increase in the number of people seeking assistance. Mineral County's aging population adds another layer to the need. 

About 28.4% of the county's residents are over 65, compared with 21.1 percent statewide and 18% nationally. For many seniors living on fixed incomes, higher grocery and utility bills can leave little room in the household budget.

When the food bank first opened, only a handful of seniors regularly came through its doors. Today, seniors make up the food bank's largest demographic. The food bank has felt the rising costs, too. They are still raising money to pay down the mortgage of their new facility on top of purchasing groceries for those in need. In 2025, it spent approximately $2,000 a month purchasing food. In 2026, those costs have increased by about 30%, while operating expenses and utilities have climbed as well. That makes this year's Town Pump fundraiser particularly important.

“We understand that the demands you are experiencing are increasing,” said Bill McGladdery, director of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “More of our Montana neighbors need help from area food banks. At the same time, your cost for food, utilities, and labor costs have also increased.” 

The Town Pump campaign has grown considerably since it began in 2001. That first year, Town Pump worked with 19 food banks in 17 Montana communities and had a $50,000 grant pool. Twenty-five years later, the program has grown to 125 food bank partners across Montana and a $1.5 million matching grant pool. Town Pump's statewide goal for this year's campaign is to collect $500,000.00 from customers, casino players and hotel guests through $1 donations at participating Town Pump Stores and Lucky Lil’s, October 1st through November 30th.

Money raised for the food bank, including Town Pump's matching funds, stays local and can be used in Mineral County where it is needed most. For a community as small and spread out as Mineral County, that local connection matters. 

The food bank is already looking toward the coming holiday season, when the need for food assistance can become even more pressing. 

“This fundraiser is crucial to our food bank,” said Rose Duncan. “Soon the holidays will be upon us. We need to make sure our clients have the food and resources needed during this upcoming holiday season.”

For local residents who have thought about making a donation to the food bank, this is a particularly good time to do it. A contribution made during the campaign has the potential to provide twice the support. It’s a simple process by rounding up a purchase to the nearest dollar with the Town Pump clerk at the cash register. And Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, people can add additional dollars for your donation at the same time. Residents can even pull into Town Pump and just donate with the cashier if you don’t need any fuel, snacks, beverages, or supplies.