BOISE -- With the economy at its worst in decades, the need for help in our community is greater than ever. The Idaho Foodbank distributed a record amount of food last fiscal year and they expect to donate even more next year.
A group of 6th graders from Vineyard Christian Home School Co-op volunteered their time on Tuesday at the Foodbank, boxing up food.
"It's just kind of fun to know that you're helping people out, helping people who don't have food, that aren't as privileged as you," said Lucas Moser.
The food 12-year-old Lucas and the other students are loading into boxes will eventually make its way to the tables of families who are having hard times this holiday season.
"We've got some people who had previously been our donors who are now taking advantage of the services of the Idaho Foodbank. That's a little bit humbling for a lot of us, but we're sure glad we're here to help them," said Karen Vauk, President and CEO of the Idaho Foodbank.
Vauk said the Idaho Foodbank doesn't just help those in the Treasure Valley. They work with 227 agencies to distribute food all across the state. Last fiscal year they distributed 6.8 million pounds of food to those in need. This year, they're projecting they'll need to ship an additional one million pounds because the need has increased.
"Some are seeing a 100 percent increase in some pockets of the state that have been hit hard with unemployment and some other stress factors, but on average we're seeing about a 30 percent increase across the state," said Vauk.
According the the Foodbank, the USDA ranked Idaho the 24th hungriest state in the nation. Two of every three people who rely on this food are either children too young to work or seniors who have worked most of their lives.
The Foodbank receives no federal funding. Instead, it relies on volunteers for their time, and donations from corporations and the community.
"So during this time especially if there's an opportunity to give, we're hoping people will take advantage of that and help us get those holiday meals out to those families," said Vauk.
You can make donations to the Idaho Foodbank during KTVB Cares Day, Saturday, Dec. 12.
We will be broadcasting live from 8 a.m. until noon at three locations: KTVB on Fairview Avenue in Boise, the Idaho Center in Nampa, and at the Fred Meyer in Twin Falls.
KTVB asks you bring food or cash donations. The donations will benefit the Idaho Foodbank, Boise Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army.
