The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Idaho Free Clinics, Idaho Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Saint Mary's Foodbank
The St. Mary's Food Bank is sponsored by the church and also receives support from other organizations and individuals in the community. The food bank serves clients in areas with the following zip codes: part of 83702, all of 83703 and 83714. These zip codes cover (roughly) from North 16th Street as far south as Main; and west, including Garden City. The Idaho Foodbank and El Ada provide much of the food we distribute to our clients; however, we also receive important support from St. Mary's parishioners, and the St. Mary's and Bishop Kelly schools. Open: Mon, Wed and Fri 11am to 3pm (Closed on Holidays). One visit per family per month.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 850-6818 to book your appointment.
Address :
3890 W State St,
Boise, ID 83703.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Boise
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ada County, Idaho serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Kuna Community Food Bank/Pantry
Kuna Community Food Bank/Pantry - Started in 1983, this agency provides emergency food to the Kuna, Idaho community and the Kuna School District. To receive food assistance, call the Kuna Community Food pantry at 922-4745 (the Kuna United Methodist Church) and leave a message. (You will need to press "1" when prompted to get to the food pantry mailbox.) One of our volunteers will call you to schedule an appointment. We try to schedule appointments for Tues, Wed & Thurs afternoons.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 922-4745 to book your appointment.
Address :
260 W 4th St,
Kuna, ID 83634.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Kuna
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
Meridian Food Bank
The Meridian Food Bank has been serving our neighbors in need for more than a decade. We began operating in 1999 as the Valley Shepherd Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Center. Initially the center was a place for homeless and low-income people in Meridian to receive food and clothing. In 2004 we began operating as a nonprofit food pantry doing business as the Meridian Food Bank. The mission of our all-volunteer organization is to provide nourishing food to people in need and to refer them to other resources that may assist them beyond their need for food. We are supported in our efforts by a wide variety of local churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 888-5102 to book your appointment.
Address :
133 W Broadway Ave,
Meridian, ID 83642.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Meridian
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
Star Outreach Food Bank
Star Outreach Food Bank Provides Families and Seniors with Emergency Food Boxes. Located at 10775 W State Street, Star Idaho 83669, the Star Outreach Food Bank is open every Thursday from 3-5pm and the 3rd Thursday from 3-7pm.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 779-0046 to book your appointment.
Address :
10775 W State St,
Star, ID 83669.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Star
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
FBC Boise Downtown Food Bank
The FBC Boise Downtown Food Bank has been meeting the needs of the hungry in our community since 2006. We have served over 1,000 families and are acquiring approximately 50 new families every month.We estimate that we are moving roughly 10,000 lbs. of food each month to help those in need - that's almost 35 tons already this year! Times: Every Saturday from 9 am - 11 am
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 344-7809 to book your appointment.
Address :
607 N 13th St,
Boise, ID 83702.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Boise
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
St. Mark's Food Bank
The food bank’s mission is to gather, manage and distribute resources to families or individuals in a crisis situation. Donation of food and monetary donations from parishioners to the St. Jude Fund are used to support this ministry. Volunteers staff the center. Thanks to all who contribute to the St. Jude Fund. Money received from this fund is used to buy food and essential items for those in need. The St. Mark’s Food Bank volunteers assisted 1,700 individuals during December. This total reflects an increase of 50 individuals over December 2012. During 2013, the food bank volunteers assisted 24,470 individuals in 2013; about 900 less than 2012!
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 375-6651 to book your appointment.
Address :
7960 Northview,
Boise, ID 83704.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Boise
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
Eagle Community Foodbank
The Eagle Community Foodbank was established by community members in 1997 to assist residents of Eagle and Star with their food needs. The Eagle Community Foodbank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Distributions: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, 10 AM-12 Noon, Last Tuesdays of each month, 6 PM-7:00 PM.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 631-0702 to book your appointment.
Address :
149 W State St,
Eagle, ID 83616.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Eagle
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist - St. John's Food Bank
We strive to feed the hungry and provide 1-2 day emergency food packages to those in need. If you want to visit our Food Bank to receive food bags or boxes, we are located at 815 N. Hays St. in Boise, across Hays from the Cathedral mid-block in a small house. The Food Bank is open from 1pm-3pm Monday through Thursday, except for major federal holidays.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 345-3424 to book your appointment.
Address :
815 N Hays St,
Boise, ID 83702.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Boise
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
The Idaho Foodbank
The Idaho Foodbank is an independent nonprofit organization that has worked with a network of partner agencies to distribute free emergency food to individuals and families in need for more than 25 years. More than a statewide distribution system, this network of more than 200 partner agencies consists of emergency food pantries, community kitchens, shelters and programs that collectively work together to relieve hunger in Idaho
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (208) 336-9643 to book your appointment.
Address :
3562 S Tk Ave,
Boise, ID 83705.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Boise
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ada
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Ada County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Ada County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Ada County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification