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With July 4th just
around the corner, we are happy to report that A Chefs' Affaire,
presented by SYSCO Food Services of Idaho, was a smashing
success, Picnic in the Park, our free summer lunch program, is
serving more children than ever, radio station MIX 106 put on a
fantastic food and funds drive for us, and Movies on the Wall is
back this summer in Lewiston. Your support is what makes all
this happen. Thank you.
This is the June edition of
Idaho Foodbytes, The Idaho Foodbank's electronic
newsletter, Volume VII, Number 6.
-- David Proctor
June Contents
1.
Picnic in the Park Exceeds Last Year's Start
2. Letter to the
Foodbank: Picnic in the Park
3. Tyler Florence Spices Up 10th
Annual A Chefs' Affaire
4. Lewiston Landscape: Community
Foundation Supports Mobile Pantry Program
5. Hunger in the
News: Experts Forecast Food Prices Will Continue Rising to 2012
6. Donors Send Rebate and Stimulus Checks
7. Oregon Governor
Praised for Efforts to End Hunger
8. Your Next Phone Could
Benefit the Foodbank
9. Gallery of Giving I: Ada County
Bowlers
10. Gallery of Giving II: Mix 106
11. Facts of the
Month: Child Hunger
12. Quote of the Month: Robert Forney
13. The Foodbank's 2008 Calendar
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(Left)
The lunch that Boise City Councilmember
Maryanne Jordan handed out gets a thorough inspection at
Winstead Park. Ms. Jordan graciously helped serve lunches on
the first day of Picnic in the Park 2008.
(Center)
A
young girl samples the lunch at Storey Park in Meridian.
(Right)
At Ann Morrison Park, this boy finds his
sandwich quite satisfactory.
Free Lunches at 14 Sites
Picnic in the Park Exceeds Last Year's Start
It was lunch time a few days ago at Storey Park in Meridian. A
small boy, about 5 years old, sporting a blond crewcut and a
striped T-shirt, got to the head of the line after waiting for
several minutes. The Foodbank staff gave him his lunch sack, and
he said, "I don't have any money." Site manager Danielle
Rife-McCreary quickly reassured him that he didn't need to worry
about money at Picnic in the Park.
Imagine what he must
have been thinking as he waited in line.
That is one of
the great rewards of Picnic in the Park. We get to see hungry
kids become smiling kids. Stop by one of the Foodbank's 14
public Picnic in the Park sites this summer. You will see eyes
light up as the youngsters investigate, then quickly scarf down
the day's free offering.
After all, summer is the season
of fun for kids. And for most Idaho children it is. But for the
22,700 children in Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Vallivue school
districts who depend on free and reduced-price lunches during
the school year, summer can be painfully long.
Which is
where the Foodbank's free summer lunch program comes in. Picnic
in the Park fills hungry stomachs with nutritionally balanced
meals that are both kid-friendly and nourishing, as well as
enrichment activities that engage their minds.
Picnic in
the Park has expanded again in order to reach even more
children. This year free lunch will be available at 14 public
sites to anyone between the ages 1-18, through August 22. There
are 12 sites in Boise, one in Meridian and two in Nampa. Hours
are from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch and 12:30 p.m. to
1:30 for enrichment activities, Monday through Friday.
Through June 25, the staff has served 22,009 lunches, up about
3,000 from the same period last year. All of last summer the
program served 73,448 lunches.
This year's Boise
sites are Ann Morrison, Cassia, Elm Grove, Fairmont, Ivywild,
Manitou, Owyhee, Veterans Memorial and Winstead parks, plus the
Boise Family YMCA (1050 W. State St.), Davis Apartments (970 N.
29th St.) and Northwest Pointe Apartments (3475 N. Five Mile
Rd.). The lunches at the apartment complexes are open to all.
In Meridian, Picnic in the Park lunches are served at
Storey Park.
In Nampa, lunch is at the Boys and
Girls Club, 316 Stampede Dr.
There are no income or
attendance requirements. All young people have to do is show up,
have lunch and enjoy the enrichment activities available.
Picnic in the Park is a collaboration between The Idaho Foodbank
and a number of partners, including Boise City Parks and
Recreation, Albertsons, the US Department of Agriculture, the
Idaho State Department of Education, United Way of the Treasure
Valley, and generous individual donors, and will include
programs by Humphreys Diabetes Center and Ada Community Library.
Our thanks to all concerned for making such an
important program possible.
For more information,
contact Vonda Pattee at vpattee@idahofoodbank.org or 336-9643,
ext. 260, or http://www.idahofoodbank.org/picnic-in-the-park.htm.
And be sure to read the letter below.
Click here to see the Picnic in the Park page,
complete with a summer menu... |
Letter to the Foodbank: Picnic in the Park
To Whom It May Concern:
I just wanted to thank you for
the Picnic in the Park that you have provided. This is our third
year participating (my family and I like to bounce between
Veterans, Fairmont and Winstead) and I really appreciate that
you started selling the lunches for a dollar to the parents. It
was always such a pain two years ago to have to go purchase my
own lunch and have my child question why they didn't get food
from the drive thru too.
Thank you very much!
Tami Arnett
Link here |
(Left) Chef Tyler
Florence, with his microphone on his right cheek, was quick to
praise the quality of the onions he used in his cooking
demonstration.
(Center) Maggie Soderberg makes her bid for
Chef Rod Roemmich to auctioneer Larry Flynn.
(Right) Chef
Florence shakes hands with a couple who has just purchased an
autographed copy of his new book Tyler's Ultimate.
Michelle Edmonds of Today's Channel 6, the evening's mistress of
ceremonies, looks on.
(Photos by Mike Shipman, Blue Planet
Photography)
Next Year is the
Foodbank's 25th Anniversary
Tyler Florence Spices Up 10th Annual
A Chefs'
Affaire
What a party!
The 10th annual A Chefs’
Affaire was a night to remember. From the headliner – celebrated
chef Tyler Florence – to the simply amazing food and wine, to
the spirited bidding on the 19 chefs who served up those
gastronomic delights, it was an enchanted evening.
The numbers are still being tallied, but at this point
it looks as though A Chefs’ Affaire, presented by SYSCO Food
Services of Idaho, brought in more than $188,000.
The
evening at the Boise Centre on the Grove began with Tyler
Florence’s cooking demonstration, sponsored by the Idaho –
Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, and attended by more than 120
appreciative foodies. With a little humor and charm to burn, he
demonstrated both why he has become such a popular television
chef and how to turn out crispy and flavorful Idaho Onion Rings,
tender and tasty Grilled Skirt Steak and a fabulous Lemon Pound
Cake with Spiked Strawberries.
Then he hung around for
another 30 minutes to chat and answer questions before he
started signing his books.
During dinner, Tyler
enthusiastically sampled and critiqued each course with The
River’s Ken Bass and Tim Johnstone, as well as with the chef who
captained the team that created it. It was a magnificent dinner
as 540 Foodbank supporters, including Boise Mayor David Bieter,
were treated to one savory and elegant course after another –
smoked trout and caviar appetizer, roasted mushroom consommé,
five-spice pork rib, tenderloin of beef medallion and a dark
chocolate torte that left the room buzzing.
The Idaho
wines, paired and served especially for each course, were
equally well received.
The financial support this year
was tremendous. This is the tenth year SYSCO Food Services of
Idaho has presented A Chefs’ Affaire, and it's the first year
for the Idaho - Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, who presented
Tyler Florence’s cooking demonstration. These are both
relationships we hope will continue far into the future. In all,
it took wonderful 200 sponsors and donors to make this year’s
event a reality.
With auctioneer Larry Flynn and his
spotters at their energetic best, the live auction of the chefs
brought in $39,300. The fund drive for the Mobile Pantry
program, which takes food directly into Idaho’s underserved
communities, was kicked off with generous opening donation of
$5,000 from Tyler Florence. Sixty individuals followed his
example, and the donations totaled a robust $36,200.
By
the time mistress of ceremonies Michelle Edmonds of Today's
Channel 6 had thanked everyone, the last photos with Tyler
Florence had been taken, and Steve Eaton and Phil Garonzik had
played their last notes, the dining room was almost empty. But
the good feelings remained so high that Chef Florence, Larry
Flynn and the evening's chefs all went out to enjoy Boise after
the festivities ended.
Our sincere thanks to everyone
who made this evening such a success. Please join us for next
year’s A Chefs’ Affaire 2009 on Saturday, June 6, 2009, when the
Foodbank will celebrate its 25th year of feeding Idaho’s hungry.
Sponsors
SYSCO Food Services of Idaho,
CorpCasting, Albertsons/SUPERVALU, Hopkins Financial Services,
Inc., Agri Beef (AB Foods, LLC), Idaho Statesman, KIVI
Today’s Channel 6, Journal Broadcasting (The River and K-Hits),
J. R. Simplot Company, Hewlett-Packard, Integrity Audio Visual,
North by Northwest, Boise State Radio, Boise Weekly,
Micron Technology Foundation, Inc., Idaho Business Review,
Ellsworth Kincaid Construction, Fredriksen Health Insurance,
Idaho Beef Council, Idaho Wine Commission, Holland and Hart, and
Regence Blue Shield of Idaho. And, of course, the Idaho –
Eastern Oregon Onion Committee which sponsored Chef Florence's
cooking demonstration.
Participating Chefs
Alan Turner, Event Executive Chef; Micah Simpson, Bonefish
Grill; Richard Langston, Café Vicino; Randy King, Doubletree
Riverside; Shannon deLeur, Eurest Dining Services/Micron; Mark
Owsley, Gamekeeper Restaurant/Owyhee Plaza Hotel; Leslie
Charles, Incredible Edibles by Leslie; Michael Mohica, Kanak
Attack Catering; Patrick Brewer, La Vie En Rose; Jake Arredondo,
Murphy's; Rory Farrow, Life's Kitchen; Kelsey Price, All
Occasions Celebrations; Christine Reid, Pair; Paul Faucher,
Seasons Bistro and Wine Bar; Gary Kucy, Tamarack Resort; Shane
Zalac, Thomas Cuisine Management/MK Plaza/Parkside Café; Richard
Mount, Thomas Cuisine Management/Simplot Food Group; Robert
Jensen, Sodexo/Northwest Nazarene University; and Rod Roemmich,
Chef Rod.
Wineries
Carmela Vineyards, Indian Creek
Winery, Koenig Distillery and Winery, Parma Ridge Vineyards,
Sawtooth Winery, Snake River Winery, Williamson Vineyard, Weston
Winery, Vin Du Bois Winery and Three Horse Ranch Vineyard.
Thank you all!
A Chefs' Affaire photos and videos
can be seen right here... |
Lewiston Landscape
Community Foundation Supports
Mobile Pantry
Program
We are very pleased to announce that the Idaho
Community Foundation's board of directors has approved a $2,000
grant to support the Mobile Pantry program in Lewiston and the
five-county area our northern facility serves.
The grant was provided through the Northern Region
Greatest Need Fund.
In the notification letter, Cathy
Silak, the Foundation's president and CEO, wrote: "On behalf of
the Foundation's board of directors, members, and the Northern
Region Advisory panel and staff, we would like to thank you for
enabling the Idaho Community Foundation to be a part of the work
you do to enrich the quality of life throughout Idaho."
"The difficulties individuals and families are facing trying to
feed themselves and their children have grown dramatically with
the significant increases in food and fuel costs," said Roger
Simon, the Foodbank’s president and CEO. "The support from the
Idaho Community Foundation will help the Foodbank get nutritious
food to communities in northern Idaho. We are very grateful for
their shared vision."
If you would like to join the Community
Foundation and support our programs in Lewiston, our donation
page is just a click away... |
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Hunger in the News
Experts Forecast Food
Prices Will Continue Rising to 2012
The chief economist at Advanced Economic Solutions of
Omaha, Nebraska, projects that food prices will rise 9% each
year through 2012, the largest increase since 1979. Bill
Lapp's predicted increases are higher than USDA projected
numbers, which show a 5% increase for 2008.
"When I
do that analysis and look at the relationship between that
and food prices," Lapp said during a teleconference, "I get
a 2008-12 average annual rate of increase in the consumer
price index for food of 9.0%."
According to USDA,
food prices rose by 4% in 2007, but Lapp places it slightly
higher with an increase of 4.9%. His initial forecast for
2008 was 7.5%.
During the same teleconference,
former USDA chief economist Keith Collins noted: "There is
virtually no cushion" to offset a poor harvest.
Currently, Americans spend more than $1 trillion a year on
food (groceries, snacks, and restaurants).
Times are hard for many people right now, but
you can help. Just click here to make an easy online
donation... |
Donors Send Rebate and Stimulus Checks
Generous minds seem to be thinking alike. In
the past few weeks, five people or families have donated their
federal stimulus checks or tax refunds to the Foodbank.
One check for $600 came attached to a note that said:
"Thank you for all you do to help those in our community who are
hungry. I think this tax rebate should go to you."
If
this strikes you as a good idea, you can contact Jill Palmer at
336-9643, ext. 242, or reach her at jpalmer@idahofoodbank.org,
or use the donation link below. Thank you for thinking of us.
The donation link is right here... |
Oregon Governor Praised for Efforts to End Hunger
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the
Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force were praised in a recent
editorial for their work on a five-year plan to change some of
the root causes of hunger.
The Statesman Journal
in Salem cited the successful effort to get more eligible
Oregonians signed up for food stamps. It "brought millions more
federal dollars into the state and made it possible for more
children to attend school well fed and ready to learn," the
newspaper said.
Another important step was when the
Oregon Legislature capped consumer loan rates at 36%, down from
the 500% - 600% that some payday loan companies charged. "Now,"
said the paper, "low-income people are less likely to get
trapped in contracts that force them to pay interest instead of
buying food for their children."
The governor also spent
a week living on food stamps, a grocery budget of $3 per day.
But the governor and anti-hunger advocates can't do it alone,
the editorial concluded. It will take "the energy of everyday
Oregonians behind similar efforts."
Use this link to read the editorial in its
entirety... |
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Your Next Phone Could
Benefit the Foodbank
If you are looking for your next
cell phone, The Idaho Foodbank and PhonesForGood.com have teamed
up to offer you a way to save money and
benefit the Foodbank.
PhonesForGood.com is an online
cell phone retailer that partners with non-profits to help them
raise money. The company offers a complete selection of new
phones at discount prices, and many are free with the purchase
of a calling plan. As a Foodbank supporter, you can get a good
deal on your next cell phone purchase, and for every phone and
plan purchased through the PhonesForGood.com web site, the
company will donate $40-$50 toward the fight against hunger.
The company offers phones from AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel and
T-Mobile. The web site is easy to navigate and lists prices so
you can compare them to your present service. Just remember to
select The Idaho Foodbank as your organization of choice. And
thank you in advance.
Just click here to check out the cell phone
bargains... |
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Gallery of Giving I: Ada County Bowlers
We look forward every
year to a visit from officers of the 4,000-member Ada County
U.S. Bowling Congress Association. They hold raffles at
their major annual tournament and then share the proceeds
with non-profit organizations in the area. This year, Judy
Gugin, association vice president, and Bill Heintz, the
association's manager, came by the Foodbank to present CEO
Roger Simon with a check for $518.
Our thanks to
Bill and Judy, and to all the bowlers who make this yearly
visit possible.
Another way to give is to use the Foodbank's
virtual food drive. Just click here for a look...
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Gallery of Giving II: Mix 106
(Left) Fans and donors line up to speak with Mike
Kasper and Kate McGuire at their remote broadcast to raise food
and funds for the Foodbank.
(Right) Kate McGuire, with
morning co-host Mike Kasper, urged listeners to bring donations
to the Albertsons at Eagle and McMillan, where Mix 106 broadcast
for 25 hours.
When Kate McGwire read the Statesman article
that described how difficult it has been recently for the
Foodbank and its partner pantries to keep food on the shelves,
she wanted to do something about it. Since Kate is half of the
morning team on Mix 106, that something turned into a two-day
food and funds drive to help restock some of those shelves.
"I was shocked when I read that article," she said. "I
knew things were tight and people were having a hard time, but I
didn't know things were that bad. It's an urgent problem."
Kate pulled in co-host Mike Kasper and a big team from the radio
station who staffed the remote broadcast and the Mix 106 truck,
both set up in the parking lot of the Albertsons store at Eagle
and McMillan, for 25 hours.
Dubbed "Feed the Need," the drive pulled in a
remarkable $5,811.87 and 3,555 pounds of food. Listeners came
from all over the valley, and many shoppers bought extra food
and dropped it off on their way out.
It was an
extraordinary effort put together in record time by a stellar
organization. Thank you Kate, Mike and the whole team at Mix 106
and Peak Broadcasting.
If you want to donate different grocery
items, just click here to see what is on the shelves... |
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Quote of the Month
 "We believe that food banks can provide the best
environmentally friendly alternative to reduce surplus and
waste by redirecting surplus food to people who lack the
funds necessary to gain commercial access to adequate
nutrition."
Robert Forney
President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network,
previously President and CEO of both America’s Second
Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank Network and the Chicago
Stock Exchange.
Care to lend a hand in the battle
against hunger? Here's the link to our volunteer page... |
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The Foodbank's 2008 Calendar
June 6 – August 22 – Picnic in the Park. Free lunches in
Boise city parks for children ages 1-18. Call Vonda Pattee,
336-9643, ext. 260 or www.idahofoodbank.org/picnic-in-the-park.htm.
Boise
June 6 – August 22 – Picnic in the Park. Free
lunches in Storey Park in Meridian for children ages 1-18.
Call Vonda Pattee, 336-9643, ext. 260 or
www.idahofoodbank.org/picnic-in-the-park.htm. Meridian
June 9 – August 22 - Picnic in the Park. Free lunches for
children 1-18 at the Nampa Boys and Girls Club, 316 Stampede
Dr. Call Vonda Pattee, 336-9643, ext. 260 or
www.idahofoodbank.org/picnic-in-the-park.htm. Nampa
June 30 - Last day of the University of Phoenix food drive.
Ends at 10 p.m. At 3080 E Gentry Way, Suite 150 (across from
St. Luke’s Meridian off Eagle Road). Barrels are inside the
building. Meridian
July - Warhawk Air Museum will
offer 10% all gift store items for a donation of five cans
of food. Call 465-6446. Nampa
July - Ameri-Serv will
take $5 off its $90 air conditioning maintenance service for
each food item donated, up to six items. Save up to $30 for
six items of non-perishable food. Ada County call 342-4328;
Canyon County call 467-2665.
July 11 - Movies on the
Wall. Princess Bride. Free family films projected
onto the back of the Main Street Lighting building on F St.
A portion of the donations and concession income will
benefit the Foodbank. Movies start at dusk. Lewiston
July 12 - Hardcore Against Hunger at The Knitting Factory,
featuring Frantik, Mortal Enemy, Kryterium and Final
Underground. Admission is at least one can of food or a
monetary donation. 367-1212. Boise
July 18 - Movies
on the Wall. Hairspray. Free family films projected
onto the back of the Main Street Lighting building on F St.
A portion of the donations and concession income will
benefit the Foodbank. Movies start at dusk. Lewiston
July 20 - Annual Sunday Blues Concert in Julia Davis Park
near the tennis courts. Admission is two cans of food.
Presented by Gruntwerks and CBS 2. Jim Teeter 336-0308 or
Cheryl Waterbury 489-1207. Boise
July 25 - Movies on
the Wall. X-Men. Free family films projected onto the
back of the Main Street Lighting building on F St. A portion
of the donations and concession income will benefit the
Foodbank. Movies start at dusk. Lewiston
August 1 -
August 31 - Foodbank's annual Business to Business food
drive. Contact Julie Rudolph, 336-9643, ext. 257. Boise
August 8 - Movies on the Wall. Groundhog Day. Free
family films projected onto the back of the Main Street
Lighting building on F St. A portion of the donations and
concession income will benefit the Foodbank. Movies start at
dusk. Lewiston
August 15 - Movies on the Wall.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Free family films
projected onto the back of the Main Street Lighting building
on F St. A portion of the donations and concession income
will benefit the Foodbank. Movies start at dusk. Lewiston
August 21 - Movies on the Wall. Tucker: The Man and His
Dream. Free family films projected onto the back of the
Main Street Lighting building on F St. A portion of the
donations and concession income will benefit the Foodbank.
Movies start at dusk. Lewiston
August 23 - Hot August
Night fun run on the Greenbelt sponsored by Runnerslog.com.
Starts at Veterans Park. Ten percent of entry fee and all
food collected will go to the Foodbank. Call 409-9320 or go
to www.runnerslog.com. Boise
September 8-14 –
Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft. The 72-hole golf
tournament and associated activities are set for Sept. 8-14
at Hillcrest Country Club. Ticket sales can benefit the
Foodbank. http://www.albertsonsboiseopen.com/tickets/tickets.php
Boise
October 9 - The Mayor's Award for the Arts at
The Idaho Foodbank. 233-8811. Pocatello
October 10 -
Idaho Summit on Hunger and Food Insecurity. 8:30 a.m. - 4
p.m., Doubletree Riverside. Speakers include Eric Steiner
(USDA) and Jim Weil (FRAC). Information: 211 (Idaho CareLine).
Garden City.
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 200
non-profit agencies statewide, is an affiliate of America's
Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network and is proud to
be supported by several United Ways in Idaho. For the second
consecutive year we have been awarded the coveted four-star
rating by Charity Navigator and judged to be the most efficient
non-profit organization in Idaho. That means your donations
go further at the Foodbank than at any other non-profit in
Idaho. Please consider helping us feed hungry Idahoans by
donating online today.
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, 919 S. 2nd 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 provider and employer
This link will take you to our secure donation
page... |
Thank you
for supporting The Idaho Foodbank in the fight against
hunger. Idaho is the 13th hungriest state as measured by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your donations of time, food and
cash meant that with the help of more than 200 partner agencies your
Foodbank could distribute 5.25 million pounds of badly needed food
to Idaho families in 2007 and 65 million pounds since 1984.
Sincerely,
The Team at The Idaho Foodbank
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