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As we look back at the December
holidays, it is not hard to marvel at the way Idahoans
continue to respond to their neighbors' need. This
newsletter is full of holiday miracles. Thank you for
providing them.
This is the December edition of
Idaho Foodbytes, The Idaho Foodbank's electronic
newsletter, Volume VI, Number 12.
-- David Proctor
December Contents
1. 9,000
Idaho Families Will Have Christmas Dinner Thanks to You
2. Albertsons Open Helps Feed Kids
3. Letter from
Lewiston: November Exceeds 90,000 Pounds and 1,700 Turkeys
4. Lewiston Landscape: National Guard Rounds Up Turkeys and
Cash
5. Pocatello Perspective: Century High Students
Respond Again
6. Studies Show Family Meals Are Good for
Us
7. Letter to the Foodbank: Students Thanked for PBJ
Day
8. Record Exchange Auction Tops $2,000
9. New Law
Allows IRA Donations
10. Gallery of Giving
11. Gallery
of Giving II
12. Facts of the Month: Hunger and
depression
13. Quote of the Month: W. H. Auden
14. The
Foodbank's 2007-8 Calendar
(Left) Sari O'Neal of Kissin 92, Liam
Spencer of The Idaho Foodbank, Michelle Nelson (Mrs.
Southwest Idaho) and Kevin Mee of Kissin 92 at the
Citadel Radio all day food and turkey drive and remote
broadcast from the Fred Meyer store on Franklin Road in
Boise. The drive resulted in 25 turkeys, 12 hams and a
total of more than 400 pounds of food.
(Right)
Samuel DeBoard hands a couple turkeys to Hugo Sayre. The
two volunteers were picking up Christmas food for the
Middleton Food Bank.
Holiday Wrap-up
9,000 Idaho Families Will Have Christmas Dinner
Thanks to You
Idaho did it. You did it.
Eight days before
Christmas your Idaho Foodbank reached its goal to supply
a Christmas turkey or ham or chicken to every Idaho
family that wanted one. There were 9,177 requests, and
because of your generosity every request was filled.
For the entire 2007 holiday season, the Boise
warehouse gave out 4,071 turkeys, hams and chickens at
Christmas and 6,259 at Thanksgiving. In Lewiston,
we distributed 250 for Christmas and 1,754 at
Thanksgiving, and in Pocatello it was 1,735 for
Thanksgiving and 2,668 for Christmas.
That
statewide total of 16,737 turkeys, hams and chickens for
the 2007 holidays was a new record, up substantially
from last year’s need of 14,829, which was itself a
record. It also exceeded the estimate of 16,000 we made
in October.
We were able to do all that because
of donors like you. Every turkey given out and every
dollar we used to buy turkeys was donated. Here are just
a few examples:
§ Micron employees generously
donated 352 hams and 320 turkeys
§ An amazing donor,
who asked to remain anonymous, paid for 400 turkeys, and
his company will match his donation.
§ Building
contractors across the state rounded up and donated
6,403 turkeys.
§ Honeysuckle White once again donated
the first 200 birds of our annual holiday drive.
§
Citadel radio stations KIZN, KBOI and KITK did an
all-day remote broadcast at the Franklin Road Fred Meyer
store.
§ Generous Idahoans donated $110,853 in cash
which allowed us to purchase 7,948 turkeys. That means
the other 7,789 turkeys were donated one person at a
time or in small flocks.
Idaho is a big state
with, sadly, a big need. And you responded in a big way.
Thank you for everything. Happy holidays from the entire
Foodbank team and from over 16,000 families who were
able to share their holidays at tables filled with
warmth and good food.
It's not too late to donate
during 2007. Just click on this link... |
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Albertsons Open Helps Feed Kids
Donation Update
We are thrilled to announce that this year's
Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health has
netted $25,000 for the Foodbank's Children’s Nutritional
Services. SUPERVALU and the tournament also announced a
donation of $25,000 to America’s Second Harvest - the
network of food banks to which The Idaho Foodbank
belongs.
The 72-hole golf tournament and
associated activities were held back in September at
Hillcrest Country Club in Boise.
The 2007
Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health, was
part of the 32-event Nationwide Tour, a subsidiary of
the PGA TOUR.
Our thanks to Albertsons/SUPERVALU,
First Health, the Nationwide Tour, the PGA, Jeff Sanders
Promotions and everyone involved in this high-quality
event for their generous support of Idaho's children.
You don't need a golf tournament to feed
kids. Just click here... |
|
 Letter from
Lewiston
November Exceeds 90,000 Pounds and 1,700 Turkeys
November was another big month. We exceeded my estimate
of 60,000 pounds for the month due in part to turkeys,
and we received a load of paper from the Potlatch mill.
Total weight shipped this month was 92,317 pounds.
Agencies and mobile pantry distributions accounted for
1,754 turkeys. We are still gathering turkeys and money.
The turkey drive ain’t over till the last turkey
gobbles.
Already this calendar year we have
distributed 618,608 pounds, a 67% increase over last
year. That takes into account the lean months at the
beginning of the year, and I still have December to go.
December will be a lean month, too, due to limited
turkeys and very depleted stock.
The number of
supporters who have responded to our mailers has grown
significantly this year, which reflects the continued
and growing compassion of so many in North Central Idaho
and Asotin County, WA. As of the end of November, I had
sent over 1,100 "thank you" letters. My tongue is
getting kind of dry.
For November’s mobile
pantries, we went to four locations and served 412
families, 1,230 individuals. That is up from last
month’s five locations – 357 families or 1,060
individuals.
As we continue through the holiday
season and into 2008, we will continue our efforts to
meet the increased need for food in North Central Idaho
and Asotin County WA.
Happy Holidays!!
Chuck Whitman
Director of Northern Idaho Services
This link will take you directly to
information about our Lewiston branch... |
| Lewiston Landscape
 National Guard Rounds Up Turkeys and Cash
The 145th Brigade Support Battalion of the Idaho
National Guard helped Lewiston kick off the turkey drive
this year by conducting a turkey drive on Saturday, Nov.
3. They collected 33 turkeys and nearly $1,000 in
donations.
The 145th returned last year after
serving 12 months in Iraq. Now they are serving their
country and their community.
"This is another
example of how special our military is," says Chuck
Whitman, Director of Northern Idaho Services in
Lewiston, "whether they're in a combat zone or at home
performing humanitarian service for others."
If you missed the National Guard drive,
you can donate right now. Just use this link... |
Pocatello Perspective
Eastern Idaho Youth Support Foodbank
Century High Honor
Society, led by President Emily Jones, (foreground left)
collected more than 12,000 pounds of food and $1,350.
The cash went for personal care items and other goods at
Pocatello's Fred Meyer store.
During the holiday season,
the youth in Eastern Idaho made a significant difference
to many families with some clever food drives:
§
Century High School Honor Society spent a cold blustery
day standing on street corners with signs asking for
money to help the Foodbank. These students then went
into the Fred Meyer store and purchased over 1,300
pounds of food. The same group held a food drive at
school. When everything was totaled, the net result was
12,113 pounds of food and $1,350 donated to the
Foodbank.
§ Lewis and Clark Elementary School
again did their traditional Christmas tree made from
donated cans.
§ Eight-year-old Colton Turner
collected food at the bowling alley where he competes
and the Bannock County offices, where his mother works.
He also did a live radio broadcast. He netted 1,547
pounds of food and $850.
§ Reece Foulkrod decided
to raise money for turkeys for his 20-hour school
service project. In the process he collected and donated
$460.
§ Roy Lacey, who directs our Pocatello
operation, says this donation was a personal favorite.
Three-year-old Stephanie, with her sparkling blue eyes,
came in with her parents so she could donate her
allowance to help the poor. "The shine in her eyes as
she gave her gift is a sight I will carry with me
always," says Roy.
§ Other donations came from
Indian Hills Elementary, Tendoy Elementary, Washington
Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Jefferson Elementary,
Pocatello High School, Marsh Valley Middle School and
Stanley Prescott’s Eagle Project.
These drives
resulted in 24,725 pounds of food and $3,513. Thanks to
everyone involved. What a great way to end 2007.
For more information
about our Pocatello facility, here is a direct link... |
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Studies Show Family Meals Are Good for Us
"All great change in
America begins at the dinner table."
— Ronald
Reagan, 40th president of the United States
Turns out that all that talk about the benefits of
family dinners is true. And there are studies to prove
it:
§ Teens who had regular meals with their
parents had better grades and were less likely to be
depressed. (University of Minnesota)
§ Chances are
slimmer – by 15% – that children will be overweight if
they eat with their families. (Harvard)
§ Preteens whose parents tell family stories at
dinner have higher self-esteem and better peer
relationships during adolescence. (Emory University)
§ Teens who have two or fewer family dinners a week,
compared to those who have five or more, are more likely
to smoke, drink and hang out with sexually active
friends. Also, 12- and 13-year-olds with limited family
dinners are six times more likely to have used
marijuana, and 84% of teens said they would prefer to
eat with their parents than alone. (National Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University)
"If I could wave a wand, I’d make everyone have family
dinners."
— Joseph A. Califano Jr., chairman and
president of the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse
Help a hungry family have a dinner
together with a click here and a donation... |
|
A Letter
to the Foodbank
Students Thanked for PBJ Day
Editor's note: This isn't, strictly speaking,
a letter to the Foodbank. It's a letter to Hailey, one
of the students who participated in this year's Peanut
Butter and Jelly Day food drive in October. Her teacher,
Karen Smith, shared it with us. The words in bold type
are the ones he underlined in his letter. Incidentally,
this year's PBJ drive totaled a record 16,542 delicious
pounds in the Treasure Valley and Twin Falls.
Hi Hailey,
This is just a short note from a
68-year-old guy who just read about you and all the
other volunteers who are involved in PBJ Day.
I’m writing to say a "BIG" THANK YOU! You’re
all doing a really fantastic service for our
community and you need to know
how much you are appreciated. I hope that you get
many letters like mine.
I know that you'll all
do very well on Saturday and on from there. Keep on
doing what you’re doing and you’ll make your families
and people like me very proud!
Now, if you’ll
please excuse me, I suddenly feel hungry for a PB
sandwich.
With Much Appreciation
Jerry
P.S. Hailey, please show this letter to as many young
ladies and gentlemen as you can, OK?
You can read about the Peanut Butter and
Jelly Drive in our October newsletter. Just click
here... |
Lisa Pisano's Munny (left) brought in the big money
at this year's Record Exchange charity auction. Lisa is
co-owner of Old Boise Guitar. Other contributors to the
Munny auction included the family of Built to Spill's
Doug Martch and the talented Ian Bunnell.
Record Exchange Auction Tops $2,000
The Record Exchange, Idaho's largest independent music
store, and its customers generated more than $2,000 at
its annual charity auction. The proceeds will benefit
The Idaho Foodbank.
The party started Dec. 3 at
the annual Bonus Club Party and concluded on Dec. 22
after a three-week silent auction of hand-decorated
Munnys.
Munnys are seven-inch-tall nearly featureless
toys made by Kidrobot. The Record Exchange gave several
(number) local artists each a Munny to decorate or alter
any way they wish for the auction. The artists this year
included Chris Parker, Will Spearman, Grant Olsen, Ian
Bunnell, Sean Wyatt, Mike Flinn, Karen Bubb, Michael
Cordell, Eric Payne, E.J. Pettinger, Linda Capps, Toby
Robin, Renda Palmer, Noble Hardesty, Shelley McCarl, the
Youtz / Martsch family, Eric Bunnell, Max McCarl, Eli
Pisano, Divit Cardoza, Lisa Pisano, Rick Walters, Ben
Munez, Rachel Geiger, Fred Choate and Deanna Eveland.
The store also took direct donations at its cash
registers.
A big musical thank-you to Michael
Bunnell, Joy Hart and the crew at the RX and to all the
artists involved. And congratulations to Lisa for
achieving the high bid amid some pretty stiff
competition.
To find out more about the Record
Exchange, click right here... |
| If
You Act Quickly
New Law Allows IRA Donations
An IRA is one of the largest assets many
people have. Under previous law, there was no incentive
to encourage transfers or donations from IRAs to
charities. In fact, previous laws actually had
disincentives for gifts from IRAs.
Now, the
tax-free alternative IRA rollover for charity gives
people access to new resources to support the causes
they care about and receive benefits for themselves -
but only until December 31, 2007.
Under the
Pension Protection Act, using a portion of an IRA for
charitable giving can accomplish several important
financial goals for our supporters:
• Decrease
their taxable income by donating a portion of their IRA
immediately
• Decrease the tax burden of their
heirs by passing on other assets that require fewer
taxes upon distribution
• Make a significant
contribution to causes they support - in addition to
receiving numerous benefits
The Pension
Protection Act IRA rollover opportunity may have special
added appeal for:
1. Supporters already giving at their 50%
deduction limit
2. Those whose income level
causes the phase-out of their exemptions
3.
Donors who do not itemize their deductions
4.
Friends for whom additional retirement plan income will
cause more of their Social Security income to be taxed
Please consult your financial advisor for all the
specifics of your planned giving. Or call Jill Palmer at
(208) 336-9643 x 242 for assistance.
And, of course, there is always this
direct link to our donation page... |
Gallery of Giving
(Left)
Don Copple of the Julius Jaeger Foundation (gray
vest) came by to deliver a check for $15,730 to
Executive Director Roger Simon.
(Center)
Zion Bank employees collected and donated $336.
Rachel Hall and Lori Martin gave the check to the
Foodbank's Linda Walker.
(Right)
Daniel Eismann, Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme
Court, personally delivered the 660 pounds of food that
Court employees donated.
(No photo)
The Idaho
Grower Shipper Association and 19 of its members have
donated two truckloads of fresh potatoes, packaged and
ready for distribution, to The Idaho Foodbank's
Pocatello warehouse. Sage Truck Driving School in
Blackfoot volunteered to pick up and deliver the spuds
to the Foodbank's Pocatello warehouse.
Another way to give is to use the
Foodbank's virtual food drive. Just click here for a
look... |
Gallery of Giving II
Almost
every donation has a story behind it. Here are two
stories (and donations) that are especially good.
(Left)
Just a few days before Christmas, Bella Pratt
(pictured with her mom), a seventh-grade student at
Anser Charter School in Boise, donated a whopping $575
to The Idaho Foodbank. That donation will allow us to
truck in more than 6,000 pounds of donated food. The
amazing thing about this donation is that Bella raised
the entire sum herself. Bella worked for an entire year
on this school project. She also donated her time at the
Foodbank as a volunteer.
Bella, daughter of Kym
and Melissa Pratt, started out by helping the Foodbank
with the Scouting for Food drive in November 2006. She
then knitted hats and sold them at a holiday bazaar. She
singlehandedly organized a huge yard sale during the
summer, involving Anser Charter School families,
neighbors and church friends, that made over $450.
The final part of the project was a Thanksgiving dinner,
to which anyone and everyone was invited, at First
United Methodist Church, the Cathedral of the Rockies,
in downtown Boise. Foodbank volunteers participated, but
Bella and her family did the organizing. They ended up
with a full house and a fantastic experience.
Many warm thanks to Bella for her thoughtful hard work.
(Right)
Brad Duke, Idaho’s most recent Powerball
winner, saw a news story on television about the food
shortages that are plaguing the nation’s food banks. He
got in touch with Boy Scout Troop 138 in Meridian and
gave them a task: Buy $300 worth of groceries and
deliver them to the Foodbank. The four scouts had such a
great time at WinCo that one customer asked what they
were doing. When they told him, he chipped in an extra
$20.
The boys brought the 330 pounds to the
Foodbank and got to weigh it – and themselves – on the
warehouse scale. To top things off, Brad Duke's
assistant, Rachel Aldous, said Mr. Duke wanted to donate
an additional $500. And she wrote out the check on the
spot.
Our holiday thanks to the Scouts, their
leaders, Mr. Duke and Ms. Aldous. What a marvelous
surprise.
You can make a year-end
donation quickly. Just use this link... |
|
Facts of the Month
Adults in hungry households are
nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression. One in
three adults from households with limited access to food
report depression, compared to one in seven who aren’t
having trouble putting food on the table. Nearly one in
four adults in households actually facing hunger also
report suicidal thoughts.
- Oregon Center for
Public Policy
See the entire study with a
click right here... |
|
The Foodbank's 2007-8 Calendar
 November 1
- Holiday turkey drives started. We began the holiday
season with the estimate we would need 16,000 turkeys,
hams and chickens to fill all requests. Because of our
generous donors we actually were able to distribute
16,737. This is a new record, up substantially from last
year’s need of 14,829, which was itself a record. Thank
you!
These
glamorous turkeys are from the creative minds at
Campbell & Associates "Smart Marketing" and served as
the mascots for the Take Your Turkey to Work Day in
Pocatello. Our thanks to Stacie Campbell and the
Southeast Idaho Ad Federation for their generous
year-long support.
December 3-January
1 - Treasure Valley Firefighters Food Drive. Drop food
at any station, 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.
December 28 -
Humanitarian Bowl L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1st Youth
Challenge food drive, Northwest Nazarene University's
Brandt Center 12:30-3:00. Doors open at 12 noon. Food
collection at the door prior to the event. Nampa.
January 14-28 - ARC of Boise food drive. Will be paired
with their regular donation pick-ups.
February 17 – March 11, 2008 – 2nd Annual CBS 2
Food Drive. Treasure Valley.
Your time and skills are like gold to us.
Please volunteer now. Click here for information... |
Thank You!
The Idaho Foodbank
is a network of 200 non-profit agencies statewide, is an
affiliate of America's Second Harvest - The Nation's
Food Bank Network and is proud to be supported by
several United Ways in Idaho. For the second consecutive
year we have been awarded the coveted four-star rating
by Charity Navigator and judged to be the most efficient
non-profit organization in Idaho. That means your
donations go further at the Foodbank than at any other
non-profit in Idaho. Please consider helping us feed
hungry Idahoans by donating online today.
You
can use the handy form at the bottom to forward this
edition of Idaho Foodbytes to any of your friends
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 see
our past newsletters and get much 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). You are also welcome to stop by our
three warehouses: Boise, 3562 S. TK Avenue; Lewiston,
3600 E. Main; and Pocatello, 919 S. 2nd Avenue.
Unsubscribe information is at the bottom of this
newsletter. If you would like to receive our free print
newsletter, Food for Thought, email Shellie
Harvath at sdharvath@idahofoodbank.org.
Your
e-mail address will be used only by The Idaho Foodbank.
It will not be sold or loaned to any other organization.
This link will take you to our secure
donation page... |
Thank you for supporting The Idaho
Foodbank in the fight against hunger. Your donations of
time, food and cash meant that with the help of more than
200 partner agencies your Foodbank could distribute 4.8
million pounds of badly needed food to Idaho families in
2006 and 60 million pounds since 1984.
Sincerely,
The Team at The Idaho Foodbank |
