Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $750,000 in contributions during its 18th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including Musselshell County Food Bank.

A record-setting 85 food banks are participating in the statewide “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need” campaign this year. The campaign has raised about $33 million for Montana food banks in 17 years, including about $6.25 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. Organizers of the campaign, which runs through Nov. 30, hope to raise over $3 million for the food banks this year.

Locally, the Foundation is matching up to $1,000.

The money is frequently used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. Also, the funds are 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 company has been so good for organizations in small towns such as the Roundup Food Bank,” said Mike Morgan, a representative of the food bank. “We get no government funding, and through campaigns such as the Town Pump Foundation’s, we can help those who need assistance.”

“Thanks, Town Pump,” he said.

“Unfortunately, more and more Montana families don’t have enough to eat,” said Bill McGladdery, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “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 the food banks.”

Donations are being collected by mail at P.O. Box 2nd St. E, Roundup, MT, 59072.