This can be a joyous time of year, but for a growing number of our friends and neighbors it will be a difficult one. Thanks to you, we have met our communities' requests to help those families by giving away more than 11,000 Thanksgiving turkeys and hams.

Now we need another 4,500 turkeys and hams for Christmas (see www.idahofoodbank.org for updated totals), and demand for food is up 26%.

Please look over the list below of opportunities to help and see if there is one (or more) that appeals to you. Thousands of Idaho families will thank you.

This is a special edition of Idaho Foodbytes, The Idaho Foodbank's electronic newsletter.

-- David Proctor

WAYS YOU CAN HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Boise Fire Department captains Tom Moore (left) and Jason Barnard load Foodbank food barrels into Barnard's truck for transport to fire stations around the valley. This is the fire fighters' eleventh annual holiday food drive. Food can be dropped at any fire station between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. through January 5. The Foodbank's 2008 Feeding Hope Holiday Calendar Specific Needs If you are able, we would especially appreciate donations of these high-demand items: Tuna, beef stew, canned goods including meals in cans, baby food, baby formula, dry potatoes, peanut butter, cereal, beverages, rice, meat, pasta, grains, personal paper products, laundry soap and personal hygiene products. Thank you. December - Holiday turkey drives. Drop off your frozen turkey at any Les Schwab stores or R.C. Willey. You can also donate toward turkey purchases at the Foodbank, 3562 S. TK Ave., P.O. Box 5601, Boise, ID 83705 or on our donation page, www.idahofoodbank.org. Treasure Valley and Magic Valley December - "Take Your Turkey to Work." It's easy, it's fun and it will bring thousands of hungry Idaho families together for holiday meals. Organize a drive at your place of employment. Call Julie Rudolph at 336-9643, ext. 257. Statewide December - Morrison Center ongoing food drive. Drop non-perishable food in a Foodbank barrel before you enjoy a performance. Treasure Valley November 1-December 23 - Blaz'n Diagnostics food drive. Free brake pads or shoes with donation of 20 cans of food. 4338 W. Chinden Blvd. 323-9292. Treasure Valley December 1-15 – Cricket Camps out for Hunger. Food drive at 11 Cricket locations. On December 11 and 12, Cricket employees and volunteers will camp outside the Cricket retail location, 287 N. Milwaukee, to raise awareness and allow food to be donated any time. www.mycricket.com\boise Treasure Valley December 1-25 – John’s Auto Care Center food drive. Free oil change for $20 worth of nonperishable food donations or purchase your $20 oil change (regularly $39.99) and John will donate $20 to the Foodbank. 499 S. Meridian Road, Meridian. 884-8064. Treasure Valley December 1-31 - Idaho Pizza Company food drive. Donate three cans of food and receive your choice of $3 off a large pizza , $2 off a medium pizza or $1 off a small. Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Nampa and Caldwell. 724-2375. December 1- December 31 – Einstein's Oilery food drive. $10 off the Einstein's Nobel Full Service Oil Change with a donation of three or more non-perishable food items. 846-9188. Meridian December 1-December 31 - The Garden City Library's "Fines for Food" food drive. Trade non-perishable food for your overdue fine. Contact is Lisa, 472-2943. Garden City December 3-22 - Holiday Bucks donation opportunity at Albertsons. Treasure Valley December 5-15 - Nelson's RVs in Garden City and Nelson's Outwest RVs in Caldwell's "Hauling it in for Hunger" food drive. Fill two Toy Haulers with food, pricing discounts and sign up for drawings. www.nelsonsrvs.com. Treasure Valley December 8-December 31 – Good Heart Good Thyme food drive at Good Thyme Grille & Catering, 750 S Progress Ave. #170, Meridian. 1 can of food = a free soda, 2 cans = $1 dollar off your meal, 4 cans or more = $2 dollars off your meal. 898-9888. Treasure Valley. December 8 -January 5 - Treasure Valley Fire Fighters food drive. Drop food at any fire station between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Treasure Valley December 20 - Idaho State Bengals women's basketball food drive at Reed Gym, 2:05 p.m. Bring one canned food item, then buy one tickets and get one free. Pocatello. December 20 - Idaho State Bengals men's basketball food drive at Holt Arena, 7:05 p.m. Bring one canned food item, then buy one tickets and get one free. Pocatello. December 26 - Benefit concert at the Bouquet with Dirty Rooster Lollipop and Good Mourning. 9 p.m., 1010 W. Main St., Boise, 345-6605. Treasure Valley Your time and skills are like gold to us. Please volunteer now. Click here for information...

Thank You! The Idaho Foodbank is a network of more than 200 non-profit agencies statewide, is an affiliate of Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network) and is proud to be supported by several United Ways in Idaho. Please consider helping us feed hungry Idahoans by donating online today at http://www.idahofoodbank.org/donate.htm. You can use the handy form at the bottom to forward this edition of Idaho Foodbytes to any of your friends who want more information about hunger and poverty in Idaho, want to know more about the Foodbank or would enjoy photos of recent Foodbank events. To see our past newsletters and get much more information about who we are and what we do, check our award-winning web site: http://www.idahofoodbank.org (First place, Idaho Press Club 2005 and 2007). You are also welcome to stop by our three warehouses: Boise, 3562 S. TK Avenue; Lewiston, 3600 E. Main; and Pocatello, 555 S. 1st Avenue. Unsubscribe information is at the bottom of this newsletter. If you would like to receive our free print newsletter, Food for Thought, email David Proctor at dproctor@idahofoodbank.org. Your e-mail address will be used only by The Idaho Foodbank. It will not be sold or loaned to any other organization. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider This link will take you to our secure donation page...

Thank you for supporting The Idaho Foodbank in the fight against hunger for the past 25 years. Idaho is the 24th hungriest state as measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has the sixth highest rate of childhood hunger. Your donations of time, food and cash meant that with the help of more than 200 partner agencies your Foodbank could distribute 5.56 million pounds of badly needed food to Idaho families in Fiscal 2008 and 70 million pounds since 1984.

Sincerely,
The Team at The Idaho Foodbank