Idaho Food Bank distribution helpers load the food.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL —The Idaho Food Bank conducted their first mobile pantry distribution November 19 in Fort Hall where over 200 families were served.
The distribution was in cooperation with the Tribal Health and Human Services Diabetes project, the 477 programs, the Tribal Office of Emergency Management and Tribal Planning and Housing Opportunities program.
Kia Shaw, Idaho Food Bank branch manager in Pocatello for the eastern region said they’ve been trying to do the distribution for many months. “We were so excited to do this – we served over 200 families our first shot,” noting there were supposed to be distributing until 7 p.m. but they went though it in less than an hour and a half, she said.
Idaho Food Bank regional manager Kia Shaw.
“Lot of good things, we were really excited to this partnership going, we do want to make sure we’re taking care of the tribes all across the state,” she continued. “This is really high priority for me when I started the Food Bank as a branch manager to get this going. I am so excited to do this and help provide for the tribal members.”
She said the goal is to do it every third Thursday of the month so they can take care of families a little extra, “It may not feed them for the entire month but we just want to take the edge off.”
477 program employees assisted with the distribution, along with other volunteers.
THHS Diabetes project manager Sunny Stone said she assisted with planning and scheduling the event.
At the beginning of the distribution, participants received bread, bakery items, a bag of apples and a box of canned goods and pasta. However those toward the end just received the box of canned goods. There were many still in line when the food ran out.
From left, bags of apples were distributed and bread and dessert items were also given out on a first come, first served bases.