Idaho Bank Food Box Assistance Continues This Weekend

Stores are filled with snuggly life-size Teddy Bears, heart-shaped boxes including tasty chocolates, and the image that love is in the air. Valentine's Day is coming.

Meanwhile, 14.8 million people across the country have lost jobs due to employers closing and layoffs. We paint the rosy image down aisle 10, but the pandemic struggle is ongoing. That's where the Idaho Food Bank comes in with continued dedication to help families across Idaho.

This week we saw cars line up at the Ford Idaho Center for hours to receive free food boxes filled for families that could use some extra love. I've been writing about the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program since it began last year. This is what Idaho is about and the food bank is one of the best.

I had no clue that 300,000 Idahoans need help filling up the refrigerators and pantries until I read that on KTVB. Think about those numbers for a second. That's more than the population of Boise that needs assistance to put food on the table.

I reached out to the Idaho Food Bank to get more information and was humbled by the response.

Tell your listeners Keke to spread the word. We understand how difficult it is for families right now and that's what these events are for. Save money for groceries and stop by. Spend your money on keeping the lights on for your family. Don't need it? Come get a few boxes for your neighbors that can't make it.

The USDA decided to extend the "Farmers to Families Food Box Program" thru April 2021. You don't have to provide any information or even leave your vehicle. Just drive up and open the trunk. The volunteers will do the rest.

What you receive: (2) boxes of the essentials like produce, dairy, and protein.

The next Food Bank locations begin this weekend.

• Caldwell on Saturday, Feb 13 (11 AM - 4 PM) O'Connor Field House Grounds, S 22nd Ave, Caldwell, 83605.
• Nampa on Wednesday, Feb 24 (11 AM - 4 PM) Idaho Center Parking Lot, 16114 N Idaho Center Blvd, Nampa, 83687.
• Mountain Home on Thursday, Feb 25 (11 AM - 2 PM) Optimist Park, Elmcrest St & NW Marathon Way, Mountain Home, 83647.
• Twin Falls on Saturday, Feb 27 (10 AM - 2 PM) 630 Addison Ave W., 630 Addison Ave W., Twin Falls, 83301.

Can't make it to any of these locations? The Idaho Food Bank has a distribution locator. Just click on the link with your current need and location. This feature will give you several Idaho Food Bank affiliates to assist you based upon your zip code.