When Chinook Public Schools made the decision to transition to a four-day school week in 2024, one of the concerns that surfaced was the issue of food insecurity among its students. The extended weekend meant that students would now be without school-provided meals for an additional day.
“We knew that hungry children have a much harder time focusing, learning and simply being kids, so addressing this growing gap became a priority,” said Danelle Gibson, elementary principal in Chinook.
After exploring potential funding sources and community partnerships that might support the creation of a school-based food pantry, Gibson didn’t find the right match. Then she learned about the Town Pump Charitable Foundation and its grants.
“Its mission aligned perfectly with what our students needed, and for the first time in the process, I felt a real sense of hope,” Gibson said.
She applied for a Town Pump grant and received one for the 2024-25 school year. The school received a second grant for the current school year.
The grant money allows Chinook schools to provide weekly backpacks filled with easy-to-prepare, student-friendly food, Gibson said, ensuring that students have access to consistent, reliable meals over the long weekend. Each week, the school sends home about 30 backpacks. “30 students who now have one less barrier to learning, growing and thriving,” she said.
“We are incredibly grateful to Town Pump for selecting Meadowlark Elementary School in Chinook as a grant recipient and for recognizing the importance of supporting students beyond the classroom,” Gibson added. “Their generosity has had a direct and meaningful impact on our school community, and we deeply appreciate their continued commitment to helping children learn, grow and succeed.”
By eliminating the risk factor of hunger, students can prepare for their futures. The long-term gain will be seen in these students growing up and becoming successful individuals and contributing members of their communities.
2025 Communities impacted ($873K granted)
- Alberton
- Anaconda
- Ashland
- Baker
- Bigfork
- Billings
- Boulder
- Box Elder
- Bozeman
- Bridger
- Broadview
- Browning
- Busby
- Butte
- Cascade
- Chester - Joplin - Inverness
- Chinook
- Choteau
- Colstrip
- Columbia Falls
- Columbus
- Conrad
- Cut Bank
- Deer Lodge
- Dillon
- Divide
- Dodson
- Dutton
- Ekalaka
- Eureka
- Florence
- Forsyth
- Fort Benton
- Fromberg
- Geyser
- Glasgow
- Glendive
- Great Falls
- Hamilton
- Hardin
- Harlem
- Harlowton
- Havre
- Helena
- Kalispell
- Lakeside
- Lame Deer
- Laurel
- Lavina
- Lewistown
- Libby
- Livingston
- Lockwood
- Malta
- Miles City
- Missoula
- Philipsburg
- Polson
- Power
- Red Lodge
- Rocky Boy
- Ronan
- Seeley Lake
- Shelby
- Shepherd
- Sidney
- St. Regis
- Stevensville
- Superior
- Thompson Falls & Plains
- Townsend
- Troy
- Victor
- Whitefish
- Wibaux
- Wolf Point
- Wyola
- Statewide
Visit townpumpfoundation.com/backpacks to learn more.
