Check Line 39 on Your Tax Form

Contact:

The Idaho Foodbank – Roy Lacey rlacey@idahofoodbank.org 208-447-6712

Catholic Charities – Myfanwy DeVoe mdevoe@ccidaho.org 208-350-7484

Community Action Partnership of Idaho – Mary Chant mchant@capai.org 208-375-7382

Although April 15 is still a couple months away, this is the perfect time to support the non-profit groups and volunteers that help feed hungry Idahoans AND to feel good about preparing your taxes. When you fill out your 2011 Idaho state tax form, take advantage of the donation option to benefit the IDAHO FOOD BANK FUND.

Before you sign your Idaho State Income Tax Form 40, look at line 39 under “Donations.” You will find a place to designate a dollar amount for the Idaho Food Bank Fund. The donated funds will go directly to fight hunger in communities across the state.

The Idaho Food Bank Fund was established by the 2009 Legislature as a cooperative effort between three well-respected statewide Idaho nonprofit organizations: Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho, Catholic Charities of Idaho and The Idaho Foodbank.

In its first two years, thanks to generous Idaho taxpayers, the Idaho Food Bank Fund has given out more than $169,000 in grants to fight hunger in Idaho.

Any nonprofit in Idaho that deals with emergency food will be able to apply for an Idaho Food Bank Fund grant to expand existing food-storage capacities and increase its support services related to hunger relief.
At The Idaho Foodbank, our distribution is up 90%, but the need still outpaces the food available. Community pantries and kitchens are stretched to the limit. Those pantries are often run by volunteers, occupy small spaces and do not have adequate storage, refrigerator or freezer space. These limitations mean they cannot receive and store nutritious, perishable foods – including meat, dairy and produce – or even adequate amounts of long-lasting canned and dry food necessary to keep up with increasing need. The Food Bank Fund can help alleviate these problems.

Learn more about The Idaho Food Bank Fund and view the PSA…

Process starts July 1

The Idaho Food Bank Fund will accept grant applications between July 1 and July 31. Any Idaho 501(c) (3) organization that provides hunger relief is eligible. This includes grants for emergency food purchases, assistance to expand capacities and funding for hunger-relief services and programs.

Grants will be reviewed in August and September, and applicants advised when the process is complete.

The Idaho Food Bank Fund was established by the 2009 Legislature as a cooperative effort between three well-respected statewide Idaho nonprofit organizations: The Idaho Foodbank, Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho and Catholic Charities of Idaho. The donation opportunity was on the Idaho State Income Tax Form 40, which allowed taxpayers to designate a dollar amount for the Fund.

During the Idaho Food Bank Fund’s first year, in 2010, generous taxpayers provided $78,100 to 26 nonprofit recipients. The hunger-relief grants ranged from Post Falls to Wendell and included:

* $5,000 for a snack program at Oasis Worship and Food Center in Caldwell

* $3,200 to the Post Falls Food Bank to help fund fuel and electricity for food collection

* $1,500 for help with food purchases at the Community Kitchen in Idaho Falls

Applicants are not required to have any connection with Community Action Partnership, Catholic Charities or The Idaho Foodbank.

For more information about the grants email grants@idahofoodbank.org. To learn more about the fund and view the public service announcement go to http://idahofoodbankfund.org.