STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Hunger Coalition was honored Wednesday as the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force proclaimed the month of October Hunger Awareness Month.
Blaine County commissioner Jacob Greenberg presented the proclamation to The Hunger Coalition during a short ceremony at The Hunger’s Coalition’s Hope Garden, a community garden growing produce for those experiencing food insecurity.
“The Hunger Coalition is an excellent example of the type of organization that comprises our statewide network of partners. Their compassion and commitment to their community is unwavering,” said Karen Vauk, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank.
“They stood strong when COVID-19 first hit Idaho; no service was disrupted even when faced with an immediate and significant increase in the number of neighbors seeking their help. They genuinely demonstrated that they had the courage to make a difference,” she added.
Jeanne Liston, executive director of The Hunger Coalition, said she and her staff were humbled by the recognition.
“The local hunger crisis has more than doubled since COVID-19 hit home and it has taken a heroic community effort to answer the need,” she said.
The Hunger Coalition shared more than a half-million pounds of food during the past nine months—twice its pre-pandemic average of 230,000 pounds a year.
Anyone who would like to help pick up some of the tab for this historic demand for food can visit www.thehungercoalition.org/act/donate.