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Entire Community Turns Out To Help Needy

 December 22, 2009 ⋅  Post a comment

At this cold and happy time of year it seems like every school, business, and news organization battles to “out nice” each other.
The GUARDIAN is rarely “nice,” but we do believe in helping our fellow man and can’t help but feel “warm and fuzzy” about the community donations this year.

Karen Vauk President chief collection agent at The Idaho Foodbank tells us despite hard times, they have been able to place a lot of turkey in needy homes this year.

“This fall, our staff put together a plan to acquire and distribute enough turkeys, hams and chickens for 20,000 families to enjoy this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks to an outpouring of support, we surpassed that goal by at least 40%, and donations are still coming in,” said Vauk.

The FOOD BANK’S newsletter follows and makes for some warm reading on a cold night. It is full of gratitude, innovation, poetry, and inspiration.

FOODBYTES NEWSLETTER

This issue of Foodbytes again features articles from students in
Professor Karen Uehling’s advanced nonfiction writing class at Boise
State University. This month Allison Wall writes about the Garden City
Library’s Food for Fines program and April Watts profiles Dr. Royce
Wright, senior pastor at Oasis Worship and Food Center in Caldwell.

You will notice that the calendar as we go into January is
considerably thinner than it was last month. But hunger is a
year-round problem. January, February and March are perfect times to
organize a food or fund drive. If you need some ideas or help, call us
at 336-9643.

A donation to the Idaho Foodbank is the easiest way to feed the most
people in the toughest times.

This is the December edition of Idaho Foodbytes, The Idaho Foodbank’s
electronic newsletter, Volume VIII, Number 12.

December Contents
1. Neither Snow nor Rain nor Cold Kept People From Their Empty Bowls
2. KTVB Cares Day Shows How Much Idaho Cares
3. Micron and Walmart Foundations Give Back in Big Ways
4. Agri Beef Donation Provides Meat for Thousands of Hungry Idahoans
5. Save and Give at the Same Time
6. Hooker and Chad Brave the Cold to Feed Families
7. Dump Hunger 2010 to Be Twice as Big
8. Royce Wright Creates Food Oasis in Caldwell
9. Now is the Time for Last-Minute Donations
10. Food for Fines Benefits All
11. Letters to the Foodbank
12. Gallery of Giving I
13. Gallery of Giving II
14. Facts of the Month: Living Wages
15. Quote of the Month: Bob Hope
16. The Foodbank’s 2009 Feeding Hope Calendar

Event Raises $21,000

Neither Snow nor Rain nor Cold Kept People From Their Empty Bowls
It was not the most beautiful day we’ve ever had for Empty Bowls.
Still, despite the wet, cold weather, hundreds of Foodbank supporters
turned out and stood in line – some for more than an hour – to buy
their bowls and help feed hungry families across the state. This
year’s event raised about $21,000, which will provide $84,000 worth of
food.

Empty Bowls also inspired Anita Tjan to compose a series of haiku
about her experience and why she was willing to wait in line for a
bowl.

By Anita Tjan —
One hour ten minutes,
waiting in a long long line,
so others can eat.

We wait in cold rain,
for ceramic bowls to choose
and hot soups to eat.

Seventy minutes
we chose to be in the cold,
but others can’t choose.

Others do not have.
We have leftovers and more,
our fridge and shelves full.

Our deep thanks to our bowl donors listed here. Without them, there
would be no Empty Bowls.

Artist for a Day, Bishop Kelly High School, Borah High School, Boulder
Mountain Clayworks, BSU Art Metals Club, Capital High School,
Ceramica, Ceramic Palace, College of Southern Idaho, Eagle High
School, Fairmont Junior High School, Fire & Ice Studio, Fort Boise
Community Center, Hatchville Pottery, Hope Lutheran Church, Kris
Mannion, LDS Bergeson Ward Primary, LDS Girls Youth Group, North End
Ceramics, Potter’s Center, Shadow Hills Elementary, Thelma’s Ceramics,
Timberline High School, West Junior High School and hundreds of
individuals.

We also indebted to our fabulous soup donors. There is something
special about that bowl of gourmet soup at the end of the line. Our
thanks to the Arid Club, Asiago’s, Bar Gernika, Basque Market, Boise
Centre, Bonefish Grill, Brick Oven Bistro, Café Ole, Café Vicino,
Cottonwood Grille, Emilio’s, Chandlers Steakhouse, The Flicks,
Goldy’s, Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, Leku Ona, Lock Stock & Barrel,
Mai Thai, Murphy’s Seafood and Steakhouse, Ono Hawaiian Cafe, Parilla
Grill, St. Luke’s RMC, Sizzler, TableRock Brew Pub, La Vie en Rose,
Westside Drive-In.

And to our official sponsors, thank you for your assistance this year:
Albertsons/SuperValu, Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial, the Idaho
Statesman and Idaho Power.

Share your Empty Bowls story in our guestbook…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/87ee0191a4

(Left) Volunteers from Cole Valley Christian School assisted donors as
they pulled into the KTVB parking lot in Boise with donations large
and small, of food and cash. Visible near the top of the photo is the
line of cars waiting on Fairview Avenue to pull into the lot. KTVB’s
Ysabel Bilbao (in red hat) interviewed several of the donors that day.

(Right) Idaho Foodbank board members DuWayne Dahle (red and black
jacket), Mimi Hartman-Cunningham (black coat) and Mike Clawson (blue
jacket) were among the volunteers who loaded more than 30,000 pounds
of Cornish game hens onto Salvation Army, Rescue Mission and Foodbank
trucks.

People Waited in Line to Donate
KTVB Cares Day Shows How Much Idaho Cares
Foodbank, Rescue Mission and Salvation Army All Benefit

On a cold and snowing Saturday in mid-December, hundreds of Treasure
Valley and Magic Valley residents waited in long lines to make
donations to The Idaho Foodbank, the Salvation Army and the Boise
Rescue Mission at the second annual KTVB Cares Day.

Boise’s Channel 7 suspended regular broadcasting to hold this special
four-hour event simultaneously in Boise, Nampa and Twin Falls. The
response was overwhelming. When the donations were divided between the
three non-profits, The Idaho Foodbank received 10,666 pounds of food
and $6,187 from the public. In addition, Tyson Foods sent more than
30,000 pounds of Cornish game hens from Arkansas to the three
agencies, which added 10,185 pounds of much-needed protein to the
Foodbank’s total. To cap the day, the Micron Technology Foundation
presented each agency a check for $5,000. (See photo below.)

The public donations came in all sizes and kinds. There were bags of
food and vans full of food. There were large checks and bags of
pennies.

“I decided that my nieces and nephews aren’t going to get their
Christmas presents this year,” Tammy Hook told KTVB’s Ysabel Bilbao.
“I am unemployed as well, but I went into my savings account and got a
little bit of money, and this is a really good cause.”

Students from Van Buren Elementary saw it as a lesson in giving. They
raised $96 and described it as “awesome.”

Trish Burrell told Ysabel she was there in the name of her murdered
nephew, Robert Manwill. “We have had quite a bit of community support
this year and we are trying to help out this Christmas year, because
of everyone that helped us through the summer and everything that we
have gone through,” Burrell said. “So we figured that we would bring
food down here today and also the Toys for Tots that we’re going to
try to do for Robert.”

Shawn Heckathorn’s family felt the same way. The Caldwell teen was
killed in a car accident nearly three months ago. “We kind of figured
that this is something Shawn would have done,” said Connie Heckathorn.
“Christmas was his favorite time of year, and he didn’t like anybody
to go without. So whatever he had, he would give. So this is our way
of saying to the community, ‘Shawn is giving back to you guys.’ ”

You can see the KTVB coverage of this amazing event…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/e4bc73adaf

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Micron and Walmart Foundations
Give Back in Big Ways

Foundations Step Up During Hard Times

(Left) Also at KTVB Cares Day, Dee Mooney of the Micron Technology
Foundation (in white coat) presents $5,000 checks to Karen Vauk of The
Idaho Foodbank, Rev. Bill Roscoe of the Boise Rescue Mission and Capt.
John Stennett of the Salvation Army. Micron employees also donated
1,500 pounds of food and brought it to the KTVB studios.

(Right) Karianne Fallow, Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Government
Relations for Walmart, presents a check to Foodbank President and CEO
Karen Vauk for $30,000 from the Walmart Foundation to help fund the
Backpack Program. The Backpack Program provides a backpack full of
dietician-reviewed, kid-friendly food to children at risk of hunger
during school weekends. The program currently serves 1,400 children
per week statewide. This donation will fill 4,836 backpacks to feed
124 children every weekend during a 39-week school year. The
presentation took place at the December meeting of the Boise School
District Board of Trustees. In the background are trustees Janet
Orndorff and Nancy Gregory with District Superintendent Dr. Stan
Olson.

Every donation helps. You can make yours here…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/8599a26c88

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(Left) Staff members from Agri Beef’s Boise office gathered in the
Foodbank’s Boise warehouse to present this year’s cash donation to the
Foodbank. The check to the left is for 2009. The check to the right
represents the total cash donations for the past five years.

(Right) Agri Beef employees helped move the donated meat from the
truck to the Foodbank’s 90,000-cubic-feet freezer.

27,400 Pounds or 73,000 Servings

Agri Beef Donation Provides Meat for Thousands of Hungry Idahoans

Our friends at Agri Beef Co. stopped by with an early Christmas gift
this month: 27,400 pounds of pork, beef and assorted meat products.
The donation will provide 73,000 servings and is worth about $75,000
at retail prices. This much-needed protein will be distributed
immediately to the thousands of children, families and senior citizens
who access the Foodbank’s free emergency food network.

“This is an incredibly generous donation and couldn’t arrive at a more
critical time,” said Karen Vauk, The Idaho Foodbank President and CEO.
“We are committed to acquiring nutritious food for our partner
agencies to distribute. Meat is one of the hardest to get, yet it is
one of the most requested and most desperately needed. Agri Beef Co.
is as committed to feeding people as we are, and this delivery will
quickly go to feed hungry families throughout Idaho this winter.”

Agri Beef Co. also brought a cash donation of $50,000 to accompany the
meat delivery. This gift brings the Agri Beef cumulative five-year
total (2005-2009) of cash contributions to The Idaho Foodbank to
$250,000.

“Our company began humbly with the Rebholtz family ranch/feeding
operation in American Falls, Idaho. We’re now headquartered in Boise,
and we are committed to serving the people of this state,” said Agri
Beef Executive Vice President Rick Stott. “We feed people. It’s who we
are and what we do. Partnering with The Idaho Foodbank allows us to
reach the hungry families who need free, nutritious food.”

USDA guidelines recommend consuming an average of 6 ounces of protein
per day, per person for a healthy diet. Currently, if there is meat
available at the Foodbank warehouses – and in an effort to be fair and
equitable – the agencies served out of the Boise warehouse each
receive 100 pounds of meat per month to distribute to families and
seniors. The Idaho Foodbank mobile pantries currently distribute an
average of just five pounds of meat per month per family (average four
people/family) through 37 sites in communities that cannot support
their own pantries. The Pocatello and Lewiston warehouses supply only
what meat is on hand. The Agri Beef donation will provide 73,128
servings of quality protein for free distribution to hungry Idahoans.
This is a significant contribution to the Foodbank network, one
desperately needed by the 227 partner agencies that together
distribute food to 100,000 people or more every month.

Watch the KTRV Fox 12 coverage of the donation…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/4e7084f8fb/v=7fDb3OfvQcg&feature=youtube_gdata

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With the A/C Cool Credit Program

Save and Give at the Same Time
As hard as it might be in the dead of winter to think about your air
conditioning bill, as sure as the earth revolves around the sun,
summer will be arrive just a few months. With that in mind, the nice
people at Idaho Power have an offer that will save on your electricity
bill and bring money to the Foodbank to help us feed the growing
number of Idahoans who find themselves in difficult circumstances
these days.

Here’s the deal: From now through Feb. 28, 2010, if you sign up for
and participate in Idaho Power’s A/C Cool Credit Program, the company
will – with your permission – donate $20 to The Idaho Foodbank. As a
participant you will also earn $21 in credits on your summer bills.

All the details of this great program are right here…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/b2ed3ad745/WT.mc_id=EE000012

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Some brought turkeys, some brought cash. Some didn’t have jobs
themselves or were about to lose them. But all were determined to help
feed families this winter. And, incidentally, they wanted to help
Hooker (above in sweat shirt) and Chad fulfill their pledge to raise
funds for 1,033 turkey dinners.

They Complete the Quest for 1,033 Turkeys

Hooker and Chad Brave the Cold to Feed Families

Hooker and Chad, morning hosts for KISS-FM 103.3 pledged to spend as
many days outdoors as it took to collect the $12,912.50 needed to
purchase 1033 turkeys for Christmas dinners. It took them from
Wednesday, Dec. 16, until about noon on Friday, Dec. 18, to hit their
goal, and by Monday they had collected $14,051.50. Sponsored by Blue
Cross of Idaho, the two camped out at the southwest corner of Eagle
Road and Fairview Avenue in front of Krispy Kreme. Listeners streamed
by to donate, many with stories of their own to tell – people who had
just been laid off or whose company was about to close down. Big
thanks to Hooker and Chad, the management at KISS-FM, Blue Cross of
Idaho and to everyone who took the time to come by and donate. You
made a world of difference in a lot of lives.

There is still time to make a much-needed Christmas donation…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/e9e0f6629a

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Goal This Year is 150,000 Pounds

Dump Hunger 2010 to Be Twice as Big

Demand for emergency food was up about 30% in 2009, and every
indication is that 2010 will be equally difficult. The generous people
at Western States Equipment Company recognize the strain families are
under and have pledged to double the amount of food they will bring in
during the second annual Dump Hunger campaign.

A year ago, the Caterpillar dealer’s goal was 75,000 pounds of food –
enough to fill one Caterpillar dump truck – and $15,000 in cash. The
drive actually produced 116,800 pounds to go with the $15,000. This
year Western States’ goal is 150,000 pounds – two Caterpillar 730s –
and the company will match $1 for every five pounds of food collected
up to $17,000.

“We could not sit idly by while food bank pantries in our communities
are running bare,” said Western States President Tom Harris. Harris
said the first Dump Hunger campaign originated when the company chose
to forgo its annual holiday lunch and instead support this effort to
help those in need.

Throughout the six-week Dump Hunger campaign, Western States Equipment
Company will welcome non-perishable food donations at any of its 13
branch locations in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Wyoming.
In Idaho, there are locations in Meridian, Twin Falls, Lewiston,
Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

Monetary donations will also be accepted in a form of checks made out
to The Idaho Foodbank. Every $1 donated will represent five pounds of
food. Western States will also match the dollar value of all the food
collected, with a cash donation of up to $17,000.

There will be a kick-off event at the Meridian store, 500 E. Overland
Rd., on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. Information: 888-2287.

The Dump Hunger web page with all the details is right here…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/ca3859e058

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Royce Wright Creates Food Oasis in Caldwell
An Agency Profile

By April Watts
Boise State University

The moment I met Dr. Royce Wright, I knew he would leave a lasting
impression on me. He greeted me with a friendly handshake, cracked a
joke and then led me into the food pantry. We walked past grateful
people sorting through the nine loads of onions that had arrived that
day. On most days, the onions are gone by noon. In only a few weeks,
Oasis Worship and Food Center will distribute 54,000 pounds of onions.
He did the math for me: 17 tons. And that’s just the onions.

Royce Wright straps down a trailer full of food in the Foodbank
parking lot before he heads back to the Oasis Worship and Food Center
in Caldwell.

Dr. Wright and his wife, Dr. Carol Wright, are the senior pastors at
Oasis and have fed people there since 2001. When I asked him what
motivated him to start a pantry, a peaceful smile came across his face
as he heartily replied, “The woman God gave me.” Dr. Wright and his
wife “wanted a way to help.” He says Carol “thought it would be a good
idea to start a food pantry,” so they did. In September 2001, the
Wrights fully devoted themselves to the Oasis Worship and Food Center.

Oasis, located in Caldwell, is a partner agency to The Idaho Foodbank.
The two organizations have been working together for about eight
years. Every other week, Oasis goes to the Foodbank to pick up food. A
lot of it comes from the Grocery Alliance Program, a program that
allows grocery stores from across southern Idaho to donate food as it
nears its sell-by date. Dr. Wright said that he’ll take “as much as
they’ll give us.” Oasis gets food from many sources, and they “never
run out.” Dr. Wright has a philosophy to explain this: “I firmly
believe that as long as you keep giving, it just keeps coming back.”

Dr. Wright’s food pantry provided meals for 7,000 people in 2007,
18,000 people in 2008, and by December 2009, that number had grown to
nearly 26,400. But Dr. Wright’s impact is larger than that.

There was never a dull moment during my time with Dr. Wright. He is a
lively, charismatic person. It is obvious that his energy spreads far.
As I talked to him, he prepared lunches to take to schools to feed 150
children that day. He opened cans of pineapple and pears, cooked
chicken nuggets, portioned homemade ranch dressing, took important
phone calls, organized employees, and maintained an informative and
interesting conversation with me – all simultaneously.

The Oasis Food Center is also a part of a summer feeding program that
serves as a continuation of the free and reduced-price meal program in
schools. They serve 10 school districts in nine cities. During their
first year, they served 120,000 children. Now, in their fifth year,
they’ve served 300,000 children.

Another aspect of his work is a forum made up of other food pantries
and similar organizations. He hopes to unite them to be more efficient
and available to serve those in need. He also helped the Idaho
Foodbank create the first holiday meat application program, which was
enacted last month. This is a collaborative effort between the
Foodbank and local food pantries to assure those who need turkeys will
get them. Dr. Wright hopes that pantries can continue working together
in the future to make the hours of operation and locations of other
pantries more accommodating to those who use them.

Dr. Wright has left countless lasting and life-altering impressions on
many in need. When I asked about the best part of his work, he
immediately responded it is “taking care of people.” I asked about the
worst part, and he struggled to come up with any answer at all. It is
obvious that those at Oasis are doing these things not because they
have to, but because they want to, “for the people.” He abides by the
belief that it is not the pounds that matter, it is the people helped.

If you’d like to help support Dr. Wright’s cause in any way, call him
at (208) 459-6000 or…

…visit Oasis Worship and Food Center’s website…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/8f73fe9dd4

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Now is the Time for Last-Minute Donations
If it is your intention to make a charitable donation before the end
of the year, we hope you will keep The Idaho Foodbank in mind.

We have a few convenient options for you: You can mail a check to The
Idaho Foodbank, P.O. Box 5601, Boise, ID 84105. You can stop by at
3562 S. TK Ave. (off Federal Way near Broadway). You can make a credit
card donation with a call to Brett Chapman 336-9643, ext. 258 or Kerry
Duraso to ext. 261. Or you can click on the link below. Your money
will go directly into programs that feed hungry Idaho families.

Thank you for thinking of The Idaho Foodbank and the more than 100,000
Idahoans who need free emergency food every month.

Your support makes The Idaho Foodbank possible…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/8196e5ede5

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Food for Fines Benefits All

By Allison Wall
Boise State University

Who doesn’t love to kill two birds with one stone? What if you had the
opportunity to get rid of debt and help feed Idaho’s hungry? The
Garden City Public Library is giving residents of the Treasure Valley
an opportunity to do just that. The library has again partnered with
The Idaho Foodbank for the annual Food for Fines drive. Through the
month of December, patrons with cards from any Treasure Valley library
may bring in non-perishable food donations to the Garden City Public
Library and, in return, the library will waive up to ten dollars in
late fees.

Photo: Library assistants Vanessa Fisher and Jase Madsen unload food
donations from overflowing Foodbank barrels at the Garden City
Library. (Photo by Allison Wall)

Library Director Lisa Zeiter says this is truly a win-win opportunity.
The library benefits because patrons who have some of their fines
waived when they bring in their donations usually pay off the balance
in their accounts. The program also helps cardholders get their
balances under ten dollars so they can use library services again.
And, most important, Idaho’s food-insecure population is able to get
the food it needs on its table.

Last year the response to the Food for Fines program from the
community was significant. The library waived $1,500 in fines and was
able to donate twelve full barrels to The Idaho Foodbank. This year,
the goal is fifteen barrels. To find out how you and your organization
can start your own food drive and generate all the benefits the Garden
City Library has seen, contact Terry Graves at
[email protected].

Lisa Zeiter believes The Idaho Foodbank “is a great organization that
is making a difference in our community.” To be able to keep making
that difference in the lives of people and the community, they need
your help.

You don’t need to work at a library to organize an innovative food
drive. Download an information packet here…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/7ed1e18f8a

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Letters to the Foodbank

Mr. Chuck Whitman
Director of North Idaho Services
The Idaho Foodbank
P.O. Box 513
Lewiston, ID 84501

Dear Mr. Whitman,
The staff and students at Juliaetta Elementary School would
like to thank your organization for the student food backpack program.
Every Friday we see our designated students anxiously awaiting their
backpacks filled with food for the weekend. This program has filled a
great need in our school, and we appreciate your efforts on behalf of
our students. Thank you for your generosity.

Signed by 16 people

P. S.
You have no idea the impact this program has made on children and
their families. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

* * *

To: The Idaho Foodbank

I just wanted to thank everyone for our Thanksgiving feast! This past
year has been quite difficult for us, but the one thing we have not
had to worry about is feeding our family. We have always donated food
and money to various charities, and never in a million years imagined
one day we would be the needy family. I know these are only words, but
they are from my heart, and what you do means so much to us. Wishing
you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you for allowing my
family to do the same.

God Bless,

Renay Britton

If you would like to support the Backpack Program or help more
families like Renay’s, here is where you can start…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/bede3859bc

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Gallery of Giving I

Photo: Chuck Whitman (red shirt), the Foodbank’s Director of Northern
Idaho Services, accepts a check for $2,350.00 at the new Papa John’s
pizza store in Lewiston. Before the store officially opened, owner
Enoch Sor-Lokken held a special fundraiser to help support the
Backpack Program. For two days, during staff training, Papa John’s
served food for four hours each evening by invitation only, and 100%
of the earnings went to the Backpack Program. Papa John Corp. brought
a team of trainers and staff who not only trained new employees, they
hit the streets with invitations to bring in more customers. The check
presented at the grand opening is enough to fill 379 backpacks.

In addition to the generous donations described in the above articles,
we are pleased and deeply grateful to announce these much-needed gifts
to the Foodbank:

• Fred Meyer Stores donated $25,000 from its “Bringing Hope to the
Table” campaign to support the Mobile Pantry program statewide.

• The Fred Meyer Foundation granted $10,000 to support the Mobile
Pantry program in the Twin Falls region.

• The Four J Foundation granted $10,000 in unrestricted funds.

• The Community Health Improvement Fund committee at St. Luke’s RMC
granted $5,000 to support the Mobile Pantry Program in Southwest
Idaho. Mobile Pantry takes truckloads of food directly into
communities that can’t support brick-and-mortar pantries.

• Members of Metallica donated $4,944 from their concert at the Nampa
Civic Center.

• The Fund for Joe’s Kids in the Idaho Community Foundation granted
$4,000 to support the Backpack Program.

• Grover Electric and Plumbing Supply Co. donated $3,000 on behalf its
employees.

• For the third year, Century High Honor Society members lined
Pocatello streets on a very cold morning with signs asking for
donations for the Foodbank. They collected about $2,000, which they
spent at Fred Meyer to buy 1,283 pounds of food. The students are also
holding a school-wide food drive.

• Applied Materials donated $1,941 to put Hooker and Chad of KISS-FM
over the top in their quest to provide 1,033 turkey dinners. Applied
Materials also matches employee donations dollar for dollar, donates
$10 per hour up to four hours that employees volunteer at the Foodbank
and also offers a cash match for every pound of food donated by
employees.

• The St. Alphonsus hospitalist team in Boise donated $1,500 in the
hope, they said, “…it will provide meals for members in the community
who are in need, just as St. Alphonsus nurses provide care for their
patients.”

• The 25th Annual Handel’s Messiah Community Sing-in at the Stephens
Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University brought donations of
$1,743 and 600 pounds of food.

• The Bethel Morris Farley art exhibit brought in nearly 200 people to
see the paintings in the Foodbank’s Pocatello warehouse. Art lovers
donated $1,495 and 300 pounds of food during a one-day showing.

• Boise School District’s Employee Holiday Bazaar generated a donation
of $1,160.97.

• Cable One’s Annual Employee Food Drive yielded 4,966 pounds and
$642.

• ConAgra’s Annual Employee Food Drive brought in 2,085 pounds and
$1,476.

• The Sylvan Creek Foundation granted $900 for general operations.

• The Treasure Valley community donated 393 pounds of food and $250 at
the state capitol tree lighting on Nov. 30.

• Sara Monson, 8, and sister Jamie Monson, 5, held a book/bake sale to
raise money for the Foodbank. They sold many of their personal books
and helped make dozens of goodies. The two raised over $70 in two
hours. “It was so much fun for them to see their books and cookies
selling to help those who are hungry,” says their mom, Mary Monson.

• Through the end of December, Fred Meyer will sell reusable shopping
bags with the message “Bringing Hope To the Table.” The bags sell for
$1.99 apiece, and $1.30 from each bag sold benefits the Foodbank.

• The Boise Co-op is giving customers an opportunity to donate as they
check out. The donation will be added to your bill automatically.

• Morningstar Products will donate 15% of what you purchase to The
Idaho Foodbank. The Shop & Share program is already underway and will
continue through Valentine’s Day.
http://morningsideproducts.com/shopandshare.html.

• Discount Networks will donate 25% of your online business listing in
its searchable “yellow pages” to the Foodbank.
www.discount-networks.com.

In addition to these much-needed financial donations, many groups
donate their valuable time and talents to help in the effort to feed
their hungry neighbors. It is no exaggeration to say the Foodbank
could not operate without their help. In November and December these
volunteer groups included:

AARP Retired Teachers, Albertsons/SuperValu MESA group, Applied
Materials, Aquent employees, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Women’s
Missionary League, Boise High School Key Club, Boise School District
Food Services employees, Boise Inc. employees, Boy Scouts of America,
Boy Scouts Troop 156, BSU Psi Chi Club, BSU Volunteer Services Board,
Capital City Kiwanis, Capital High School students, CASEY Family
Programs employees, CitiCard employees, Cole Community Church,
Columbia High School Skills USA club, ConAgra Lamb Weston employees,
David Pinkerton group, Developmental Concepts, Eagle Academy, Eastwind
Bible Study, Erstad Architects, Foothills Christian Church, Healthwise
employees, Hewlett Packard employees, Idaho Power “Contribution
Managers” employees, Idaho Power employees, Idaho Supreme Court
employees, IGI Resources, LDS Boise Central Stake Orchard Ward, the
Mardian family, the Roberts family and friends, the Ruhr family, the
Sharp family, Timberline High School students, Timberline High School
TREE club, University of Idaho Service Team, Vineyard Homeschool
Co-Op, Wells Fargo Advisors employees, Wells Fargo employees and the
Wilkins family.

Our thanks to all these fine organizations for their most valued
support and their commitment to end hunger in Idaho.

Without you, there is no Idaho Foodbank. Please volunteer…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/85fd376824

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Gallery of Giving II

(Left) Nelda and Larry Read’s “Economic and Romantic Stimulus Sale”
and food drive produced an amazing 1,992 turkeys – 22,855 pounds or
more than 11 tons – (donated by Lee Read Jewelers) and 4,420 pounds of
food brought in by customers. Larry said the 1,992 turkeys was to
commemorate the last year his company had a sale.

(Right) Richard Jayco, Local Manager for Idaho with Frontier
Communications, presents Foodbank President and CEO Karen Vauk with a
check for $2,500.46. It is a down payment, he said, on the
communications company’s Let’s Talk Up a Cause! food drive and
fundraiser, which runs through the end of December. Frontier donated
to the Foodbank for every customer who added or upgraded his or her
long-distance service. Local offices also held food drives and donated
to local food pantries.

When one dollar can provide two meals, every donation is important…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/b5b24f9095

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Facts of the Month: Idaho’s Living Wage
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? The Idaho economy is not creating enough living-wage jobs. On
average, for a family of four with both adults working, a living wage
is a total income is $34.97 an hour or $72,740 a year. A living wage
is defined as is a wage that allows families to meet their basic
needs, without public assistance, and that provides them some ability
to deal with emergencies and plan ahead.

? Of all job openings in Idaho, 43% pay less than the $12.41-an-hour
living wage for a single adult. Almost nine out of 10, 89%, pay less
than the $26.98-an-hour living wage needed for a single adult with two
children. (Both: Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, “Job
Gap 2009”)

See the entire Job Gap study right here…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/070b3e184b

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Quote of the Month: Bob Hope
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“If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst
kind of heart trouble.”

Bob Hope
(May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003)

Born Leslie Townes Hope in London, he was a comedian and actor who
appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and
movies. He appeared in or hosted 199 known USO shows. In 1996,
Congress declared him the “first and only honorary veteran of the U.S.
armed forces.”

Thoughtful gifts of any size are both welcome and needed…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/b6877e0c86

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The Foodbank’s 2009-2010 Feeding Hope Calendar
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The Idaho Foodbank is on Facebook and Twitter. Get news and event
updates between newsletters, and tell us what you think. Thank you for
remembering that hunger knows no season for families across our state.

Throughout the Holidays – Help us pay for the 24,000 turkeys we will
distribute this season. We still really need your help.
www.idahofoodbank.org/turkey-drive/. Statewide

Through Wednesday, December 23 – Christmas at Sunnyslope Outdoor
lights, bonfire and Santa. Sunday and Wednesday nights 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bring canned food to donate
to the Foodbank. 14949 Sunnyslope Rd. 208-459-8200.

Through Thursday, December 31 – Frontier Communications’ Great
Frontier DONATE – Let’s Talk Up a Cause! food drive and fundraiser.
Add to or upgrade your Frontier long-distance service and the company
will donate to the Foodbank. Local offices will also hold food drives.
208-634-6113.

Through Thursday, December 31 – Garden City Library’s Food for Fines.
Bring in non-perishable food to donate and get your library fine
reduced by up to $10. 208-472-2940.

Through Thursday, December 31 – Chiropractic Biophysics of Idaho food
drive. Bring in a non-perishable food donation and receive great
savings with a $39 one-hour massage, a $39 new patient exam/X-rays or
a $39 adjustment. 3040 N. Five Mile Rd. Ste C, 208-321-8484.

Through Wednesday, January 6 – Firefighters Food Drive. Twelfth annual
drive at all fire stations in the Treasure Valley. Hours 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Through January 15 – Registration for Will Act 4 Food, a benefit for
the Foodbank produced by Daisy’s Madhouse at the Danny Peterson
Theater in the Morrison Center. All plays are to be written, rehearsed
and performed within 24 hours. Participation fee: $15. Information:
Aimee at 208-949-9517.

Tuesday, December 29-February 9 – Western States Equipment’s second
annual “Dump Hunger” campaign. This year, the goal is to partner with
employees, customers and the community to gather over 150,000 pounds
of food. Western States has also agreed to raise its monetary match by
$2,000 this year to a total of $17,000. Kick-off Tuesday, Dec. 29, 10
a.m. at Meridian location.

Friday, January 15-Saturday, January 16 – Will Act 4 Food, a benefit
for the Foodbank produced by Daisy’s Madhouse at the Danny Peterson
Theater in the Morrison Center. All plays had to be written, rehearsed
and performed within 24 hours. Information: Aimee at 949-9517.

Click here to check our online calendar…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/4b4c58596d

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Thank You!
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The Idaho Foodbank is a network of more than 220 non-profit agencies
statewide, is an affiliate of Feeding America (formerly America’s
Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network) and is proud to be
supported by several United Ways in Idaho. Please consider helping us
feed hungry Idahoans by donating through our web page at the link
below.

Forward this edition of Idaho Foodbytes to those who want more
information about hunger and poverty in Idaho, want to know more about
the Foodbank or would enjoy photos of recent Foodbank events.

To read past newsletters and for more information about who we are and
what we do, check our award-winning web site:
http://www.idahofoodbank.org (First place, Idaho Press Club 2005 and
2007). You are also welcome to stop by our three warehouses: Boise,
3562 S. TK Avenue; Lewiston, 3600 E. Main; and Pocatello, 555 S. 1st
Avenue.

Unsubscribe information is at the bottom of this newsletter. If you
would like to receive our free print newsletter, Food for Thought,
email David Proctor at [email protected].

Your e-mail address will be used only by The Idaho Foodbank. It will
not be sold or loaned to any other organization.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider

This link will take you to our donation page…
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheIdahoFoodbank/3db15c8e4a/05ba870809/4155f7814b
‘

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