IDAHO FOODBANK WAREHOUSE

Program: Idaho Foodbank Programs

Program Description:

The Idaho Foodbank operates three warehouses that last year distributed more than five million pounds of food to 200 agencies. Those frontline agencies, in turn, served nearly 730,000 meals in 2007. More than 40% of households that receive food from the Foodbank currently have at least one person working. Of those, 70% of households that receive temporary food assistance do so because their household income has temporarily dropped below $10,000 per year. Our food distribution is made possible by local food drives and donations by national food manufacturers and distributors. Our other programs include: 1. Grow a Row -- We ask gardeners to grow an extra row of produce and donate it to the Foodbank. 2. BackPack for Kids -- Because so many children depend on free and reduced-price meals at school, every weekend 525 children from 74 schools are given backpacks full of nourishing kid-friendly food to take home. 3. Kids Cafe -- In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, we served more than 8,900 complete meals at the Nez Perce Reservation in Lapwai 4. Meat the Need -- Allows livestock owners to donate excess or unwanted livestock and take the tax deduction. 5. Empty Bowls -- Potters from around the state donate bowls every fall. On the day after Thanksgiving in downtown Boise, the Foodbank fills the bowls with donated soup from area restaurants and sells both for $10. 6. Mobile Pantry -- Because Idaho is predominantly a rural state, many people live in small communities that are not served by food pantries. The Mobile Pantry, a warehouse without walls, takes food directly to people who need it, regardless of where they live. This new program distributed 226,630 pounds to 11,102 people in 2007. 7. Lunch Break -- Like the BackPack program, Lunch Break provides healthy food for children when schools are not in session. Over three-day weekends and school breaks, children can come to Boys and Girls clubs to get a free lunch. We served 6,555 lunches in 2007. 8. Chefs to the Rescue -- Every year Americans throw away 96 billion pounds of food. This program rescues prepared but unused food and delivers it directly to people who need it. In 2003 we will rescue and distribute more than 300,000 pounds of food that would have gone to waste. 9. A Chefs' Affaire -- This annual fund-raiser features some of the finest food in the area prepared by Boise's best chefs. The chefs are auctioned off for private dinners and a silent auctions raises even more funds. 10. Picnic in the Park -- This summer feeding program, executed with partners that include the Boise Parks and Recreation Department and the Idaho State Department of Education, served 51,430 free lunches in Boise parks in 2007.

Program Long-Term Success:

The Idaho Foodbank distributed more than 5.25 million pounds of food through its network of 200 agencies statewide.

Program Short-Term Success:

Program Success Monitored by:

Program Success Examples: