Rob Smiley

The first time I volunteered at the Idaho Food Bank was because my mom thought that we should volunteer more as a family. We volunteer every Wednesday for two hours. My family and I really enjoy volunteering.

 As the president of my school’s community service organization, Key Club, I decided to set a date that my group could volunteer at the Foodbank. I met with the Volunteer Services Coordinator, Cathe Scott, to arrange a date. It was really easy. Mrs. Scott showed me the calendar of available dates and spots and told me to pick one. She then gave me all my forms I needed and emailed me reminders so that I wouldn’t forget anything. At the next club meeting, I handed out a sign-up sheet and liability forms. Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis, I spoke at a meeting and several Kiwanis members to signed up to volunteer too.

 The Idaho Foodbank has different activities planned for its volunteers and my club’s activity was bagging chicken nuggets and amidst the bagging, we would be conversing with each other. I was next to a senior who was about to graduate and a Kiwanis member who had been a lawyer for forty years. We talked about college, law school and life in general. It was a lot of fun.

 After our two hours were up, a Foodbank employee showed my club around the Idaho Foodbank and explained the mission of the Foodbank. It was very interesting and a little sad to hear that they were running low on food. At the next club meeting, I heard two recurrent comments: the Idaho Foodbank was a lot of fun and we need to organize a school-wide food drive to help them out.

Thanks to Rob Smiley for writing the above and for his ongoing commitment to helping others!

Some of the happy participants at the Idaho Stampede's volunteer day at Picnic in the Park.

Account Executive Gary Lalanne (left) and Media and Public Relations Coordinator Travis Tate, both from the Idaho Stampede, play a little three-on-three at Owyhee Park with youngsters who participate in the Picnic in the Park lunch program.

Idaho Foodbank summer program runs through August 17

The Idaho Stampede will play basketball with area youth at four locations during “Picnic in the Park,” The Idaho Foodbank’s free summer lunch program.

“The Idaho Foodbank is an integral part of the Treasure Valley community, and we appreciate the work they do every day as they help feed area kids and families” said Steve Brandes, Stampede President and GM. “We just want to do our part and help draw more public attention to the hungry and help feed future Stampede fans.”

“Picnic in the Park” served 26,700 free meals last summer and has a goal of 50,000 meals served this summer. During the first seven weeks of service, the Foodbank summer staff served 38,980 free lunches, compared with 16,799 in 2010, an increase of 132%.

The lunches are served at 18 sites in Boise, including parks, apartment complexes, mobile home parks and schools from June 6 until August 17. Stampede Head Coach Randy Livingston, members of the Stampede Spirit Dance Team or front office personnel will be at the following parks and gathering areas during the next few weeks.

Location                                                                                             Date               Time

Owyhee Park, 3400 W. Elder, Boise ID 83705                          July 27          11:30-Noon

Manitou Park, 2001 S. Manitou, Boise ID 83706                        August 5        11:45-12:15

Sunset Park, 2625 N. 32^nd Street, Boise ID 83703                     August 10      11:30-Noon

Oak Park Village Apartments, 2888 Cherry Lane, Boise ID 83705 August 16      11:30-1:00

Children between the ages of 1-18 are eligible, and there is no paperwork to complete. Parents are welcome to purchase a lunch for themselves for $1. For more information, including a complete list of “Picnic in the Park” sites and all lunch programs statewide, go to: www.idahofoodbank.org.

About the Idaho Stampede

Season tickets for the Idaho Stampede 2011-12 season start at only $195 per seat.  During the 2007-08 season, the Stampede finished as the NBA Development League National Champions. Don’t miss out on any of the action, call (208) 388-4667 today for more information.

About the Idaho Foodbank

Major partners for Picnic in the Park this year are the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Department of Education. Picnic in the Park also received support from ConAgra Foods, Share Our Strength, Champion Windows and Boise City Parks and Recreation.

NBA Development League

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises.  For the 2010-11 season, the league featured 16 teams – including the debut of the Texas Legends.  A proven developer of talent, 23 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2010-11 regular season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.  The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA.  All NBA D-League games are on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.