Hands of Hope with Western Security Bank & Cole's Pantry

September 2025

by Jessica Renstrom | photo courtesy of Western Security Bank

With its ongoing commitment to strengthening Montana communities, Western Security Bank has awarded its most recent Hands of Hope award to Cole’s Pantry, a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity among children in rural areas.

COLE’S COMPASSION

Cole’s Pantry began in 2010 in Bridger, Montana, as a grassroots initiative inspired by the quiet kindness of a young boy, Cole Pelican. At just eight years old, Cole noticed classmates going hungry and began sharing his own snacks. “He would take food from his own home, put as much in his backpack as he could so that he could take it to school, and share it with his friends,” shares Carol Brumfield, Cole’s Grandmother and Co-President of Cole’s Pantry.

After Cole’s tragic passing in 2009 from a horseback riding accident, his sister Fallon was inspired to turn her brother’s compassion into action, launching a weekend food program that served 11 students in its first year with the Bridger Montana FCCLA.

STUDENTS FIGHTING HUNGER

Since then, Cole’s Pantry has expanded into a network of over 45 school-based chapters across Montana, feeding more than 3,000 children every week. With a focus on serving rural schools where access to food banks and resources may be limited, the program provides discreet, take-home food packs for weekends and summer breaks, ensuring children have reliable nutrition outside of school hours.

The entire program is run by student volunteers with the help of adult advisors and relies solely on donations, as it receives no tax or government funding. Each pantry is operated in partnership with local schools, often led by student groups such as FCCLA or FFA. This peer-led approach maintains the legacy of Cole’s original act of kindness while empowering students to be part of the solution.

INVESTING IN HOPE

Western Security Bank’s Hands of Hope grant program is designed to support local organizations making a real difference in our community, and has given over $1,000,000 to non-profit organizations since 2008.

This quarter’s Hands of Hope grant will provide support for Cole’s Pantry by helping new chapters get started, sustaining existing programs, and offsetting expenses for public awareness and fundraising events, such as an upcoming golf tournament and gala.

As the organization continues to work towards its vision of ensuring no child goes hungry in Montana, support from community partners like Western Security Bank helps turn that mission into reality.

“We envision so many things for the future of Cole's Pantry,” says Carol. “We want to reach every hungry child possible with food, hygiene products, or even playground equipment.”

WANT TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE ABOUT

COLE’S PANTRY? CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE:

COLESPANTRYINC.ORG

Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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Jessica Renstrom

Jessica is a Billings local with a background in marketing and a degree in Communications. She loves being a mom and soaking up time with her young children, especially during the holidays! You can catch her feeling festive and listening to Christmas music basically every day in December.

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