What a fantastic way to fight hunger in Idaho.

Who: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends, more than 400 diners and 18 chefs

What: The 13^th annual A Chefs’ Affaire – The Idaho Foodbank’s black-tie gala fundraiser

When: Thursday, September 29, concert at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Boise Centre

Why: For 236,000 Idahoans (1 in 6), hunger is a reality

Media Availability: Foodbank President and CEO Karen Vauk is available for advance interviews (live or by phone) and will be at the gala itself.

A Chefs’ Affaire, presented by Sysco, has been a special evening for 12 years. Its thirteenth year, on Thursday, Sept. 29, again at Boise Centre, will be no exception. The dinner will be an epicurean delight. The wines will be fabulous. The silent auction will be full of unusual items and special travel packages. The evening’s highlight will be the auction of the 18 chefs from Boise to Ketchum who prepared the dinner.

And new this year to Idaho’s premier fine-dining experience is a special pre-dinner VIP concert by Seattle’s LeROY BELL & His Only Friends.

When the evening’s 18 chefs go up for auction, the winning bidders receive “their” chef’s donated time and talent as he or she prepares a meal for up to 14 people. Last year, Chef John Berryhill and musician Curtis Stigers got together at the event and offered themselves as a dinner-and-music package. Who knows what surprises are in store this year?

In the end, of course, A Chefs’ Affaire is a fundraiser. Last year, the 420 diners and generous sponsors brought the gross to $140,000, a 40% increase from the previous year.

To see the evening’s menu and more information about LeRoy Bell, http://idahofoodbank.org/news/events/a-chefs-affaire

For more information about the gala, please contact Shauna Stonehocker at 208-577-2698 or sstonehocker@idahofoodbank.org. Tickets are available at http://www.idahofoodbank.org/?page=a-chefs-affaire

On Friday, Bronco fans can celebrate the first home game and help families in the community.

The Boise State Broncos take to the field for the first home game of the season this Sat., Sept. 24, and as the official Bronco Nation Tailgate headquarters, no one is more excited than Albertsons. In celebration, on Friday, Sept. 23, Albertsons stores on Broadway and at Eagle and McMillan are gearing up for a dueling one-day food drive to benefit The Idaho Foodbank.

Plus, Albertsons is counting on the Bronco defense to help fulfill a special pledge – for every sack the Broncos record during the regular season, Albertsons will donate $500 (up to $25,000) to benefit The Idaho Foodbank.

When: The excitement starts on Friday, Sept. 23, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

What: Albertsons Bronco Nation Dueling Store Food Drive Kickoff – Customers are invited to make food donations at the two participating stores.

Who/Where:

• The Bronco offense will be represented by the Albertsons store at 1219 S. Broadway Ave.
• The Bronco defense will be represented by the Albertsons store at 4700 N. Eagle Road, at Eagle and McMillan roads.
• The winner will be the store/team that collects the most food.
• Bins will be set up to collect donations starting early in the morning.
• 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Radio remotes at each store – KRVB 94.9 The River will be at the Broadway store and K-HITS at Eagle and McMillan.
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – Cheerleaders and Buster Bronco at each store to get fans into the Bronco Nation spirit.

Albertsons is sponsoring this one-day food drive because hunger doesn’t have a season and every donation helps families within the Treasure Valley.

For more details contact Albertsons Broadway Store Director Tina Riddle at 336-5278 or Albertsons Eagle/McMillan Store Director Kurt Frisch at 939-5145.