Hunger

St. Luke's is partnering with the Hunger Coalition to alleviate instances of food poverty in the Wood River Valley. Idaho Matters talks with Erin Pfaeffle, director of community engagement with St. Luke's and Jeanne Liston, executive director of the Hunger Coalition about these efforts. 

People tend to think about the hungry during the holiday season, when organizations participate in canned food drives. In the Wood River valley, though, they want to change people’s perceptions about when to think about the hungry and how to think about their food.

Idaho filmmaker Karen Day has a new documentary, featuring college students making a difference in the world. 

As of January, more than 231,000 people in Idaho were on food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.  The average Idaho recipient receives about $128 per month.  For many, that’s not enough, and they rely on food pantries and family members for help.  The Idaho Foodbank has a program designed to teach nutrition and food budgeting to those on limited incomes.

In Idaho, 17 percent of people don’t have access to enough food for an active, healthy life.  That’s according to the hunger relief charity Feeding America.  The Idaho Foodbank tries to help by partnering with food pantries around the state.  But when there’s no pantry available, residents are left unserved.  That's where the Foodbank's mobile service comes in.