Helping the Eagle Community Foodbank
Story by Erika Heeren
Photos by Emma Thompson
‘Tis the season for giving! As we move into the holiday season, our local community non-profits are gearing up to help those in need. One of these organizations is the Eagle Community Foodbank.
In an environment of prosperity, it can be difficult to imagine how many families are affected by poverty and food insecurity. According to a recent report by Feeding America, food insecurity affects more than 200,000 people in Idaho alone, with nearly 70,000 of those being under the age of 18.
The Eagle Community Foodbank opened in 2012 and has served the Eagle and Star communities ever since. The organization holds a “neighbors helping neighbors” philosophy and primarily works with families in Eagle and Star. They are a completely independent non-profit and rely entirely on the generous community support from individuals, businesses, schools, organizations, and churches in the area.
“We are fortunate to be part of a community that is very generous and supportive of one another. Together we can make a difference in Eagle and help our neighbors who are facing food insecurities,” Eagle Food Bank representative Lisa Lavin explained.
The Foodbank’s mission is to provide support to those who are facing food insecurities, including families, young adults, and the elderly. The Foodbank provides three food distributions every month. They place no limitations on the number of times a family/person can partake in these distribution days throughout the year, and hold special distribution dates for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
This holiday season, meals and supplies will be distributed on Tuesday, November 26th from 6 – 8 p.m. and Tuesday, December 17th from 6 – 8 p.m.
Local Events & Opportunities to Get Involved:
If you are interested in donating, the following events are taking place around Eagle and Star.
The City of Eagle provides a bundle of leaf bags to each household in exchange for a canned food donation. Bags will be available at City Hall (660 E. Civic Lane) from October 7 to November 22 or while supplies last. All canned food donations go to the Eagle Community Foodbank. The recycled leaves will be ground up and used as a soil amendment.
Eagle Kiwanis will be holding its 15th annual Food and Turkey Drive supporting the Eagle Community Foodbank and Hope Lutheran Church Foodbank on November 26th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in front of Eagle Albertsons. The turkeys that are collected from this event are given to patrons of the Eagle Community Foodbank at the Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions.
Eagle Albertsons is holding its annual Holiday Bucks campaign in November to collect money for holiday meals which include a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and rolls. The money raised through Albertsons’ campaign enables the Foodbank to give holiday meals to their patrons at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions.
Boy Scouts of America is holding its annual Scouting for Food drive on the second Saturday in November. The food that is collected by the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in Eagle is usually donated to the Eagle Community Foodbank.
Businesses Unite for Eagle Community Foodbank
Local business owners are also getting in the spirit of giving, and they encourage their fellow Eagle residents to do the same. Throughout the year, local businesses, schools, churches, organizations, and families hold food drives to collect non-perishable (boxed, canned or bag-sealed) food and personal care items. The foodbank also receives produce and bakery items from Albertsons every month, bread from Franz Baker, and fresh fruits and vegetables from caring citizens.
Eagle Albertsons’ manager Tom Holloway has been a staunch supporter of the Eagle Community Foodbank since its inception.
“I love being involved with our Eagle community and a big part of that is working with our Eagle Foodbank. We have partnered with them since [they started] and it is good for folks to know that [families have] needs here in the Eagle area too. We work with [the foodbank] year-round. With the holidays approaching, we are starting our biggest promotion – our Albertsons Holiday Bucks program – all the money raised goes to suppling a holiday turkey dinner that feeds a family of four to five,” says Holloway.
American Family Insurance Agency owner Peter Dover encourages the food drives and suggests that local businesses provide aid in the form of food, toy, and clothing drives throughout the year, not just the holidays. By partnering with organizations like the Eagle Kiwanis, his agency has been able to help the Eagle Community Foodbank through various food drives throughout the year.
“Organizations like the foodbank have a year-round need,” Dover explained. “It’s important for businesses to give back. Having a heart for service is important. That’s what makes the community a better place, and helps it thrive.”
Businesses interested in becoming involved can call the Eagle Community Foodbank at (208) 631-0702 or sending an email to eaglefoodbank@gmail.com. Representatives will work with you to set up a food drive on nonperishable food and personal care items.
If you are planning on making a dry food or canned food donation, there are bins located at Albertson’s on Eagle Road, Eagle Public Library, Eagle Fire Station #1 on Iron Eagle Drive, and Idaho Youth Ranch to deliver items of that nature.
For more information about the Eagle Community Foodbank, or how to get involved, visit their website at www.eaglefoodbank.com.
