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Idaho State News

The Idaho Food Bank Kicks off Back to School Campaign

August 28, 2024

(Lewiston, ID) – The Idaho Foodbank launches its Back-to-School fundraising campaign  as a statewide effort to support kids throughout Idaho who are experiencing hunger.  The campaign spotlights The Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack and School Pantry programs  and highlights numerous ways folks can support the youngest members of our  communities. 

According to Feeding America’s most recent Map the Meal Gap report, 14.5 percent of  Idaho children, more than 67,000 kids, struggle with food insecurity. This means they  are not getting enough nutrition to support a healthy and active lifestyle. The effects of  insufficient nutrition extend well beyond hunger pains. Children experiencing food  insecurity are at higher risk of falling behind in school, exhibiting lower test scores,  behavior issues and are susceptible to conditions including asthma, development  delays, iron deficiency anemia, and mental health problems (Food Resource Action  Center). 

To help children have better success in school and life, The Idaho Foodbank Back-to School campaign supports the Backpack and School Pantry Programs. These focus on  feeding kids who need additional food when they are outside the classroom.  

“Our Backpack and School Pantry programs support some of our most vulnerable  Idahoans,” said Randy, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. “With the help of  these programs, we can relieve some of the pressure on the families and provide a  better chance for these young students.” 

The Idaho Foodbank’s state-wide Backpack program ensures that students who are  chronically hungry have access to adequate food over the weekend. Nutritious, child friendly food is provided every Friday during the school year. Meals consist of items that  are easy to prepare and meet a child’s needs for Saturday and Sunday. Last year, The  Foodbank provided over 64,000 bags of food to students in 165 schools.  

The need only begins with the start of school, for just $300, anyone can become a  Backpack Buddy and support a child with a Backpack every week during the school  year.  

The Idaho Foodbank’s state-wide School Pantry program helps provide families with  food through a pantry set up inside the school, where access is convenient for students  and their families. The Idaho Foodbank selects nutritious and non-perishable items to  help stock school pantry shelves. Last year, the School Pantry program distributed  380,000 pounds of food to nearly 19,000 households. 

The Idaho Foodbank thanks ICCU for its support of these programs: 

To learn more about Back-to-School activities and to support the programs, please  visit https://idahofoodbank.org/our-impact/children/ 

If you, or someone you know, needs food assistance, please visit The Idaho  Foodbank’s Food Assistance Locator: idahofoodbank.org/getfood

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