The Idaho Foodbank serves about 179,000 people monthly through more than 400 partners in 44 counties. These include rescue missions, church pantries, emergency shelters and community kitchens.
Idaho State resources and current information are available at the
State of Idaho’s Coronavirus Page:
Update 4-07-2020 – Volunteers should wear face masks
Volunteers Following the CDC’s recommendation we are changing the language on our volunteer emails and webpage to strongly encourage volunteers to bring their own mask, scarf or bandana when they come to volunteer. Following CDC recommendations, we are now strongly encouraging all volunteers to bring and use a cloth masks during their shift as an added layer of caution. We greatly appreciate the donation of masks at any of our facilities or to your local food pantry.
The Idaho Foodbank and its partner agencies across the state are considered an essential service and vital to providing food.
Therefore, we are exempt from Governor Little’s Statewide Stay-At-Home Order. Our facilities are open, and our volunteers are considered essential personnel.
Please keep your social distancing procedures in place and we are encouraging healthy, low-risk individuals to volunteer.
Read the Governor’s News Release on the Stay at Home Emergency Declaration
Need Food?
The Idaho Foodbank is here to help. If you have been impacted by school or business closures in response to COVID-19, use our Food Locator to help you find food in your area. We can get through this together!
https://idahofoodbank.org/getfood/
Volunteer Shifts
Volunteer shifts at The Idaho Foodbank’s Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello are being held as scheduled. We are in the process of making some adjustments. Please do not volunteer if you are showing any signs of illness, including respiratory illness.
Read More About Volunteer Shifts
General Information
- Please monitor The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) for current information: healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/COVID19
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in California, Oregon, and Washington. The CDC’s website is an excellent resource for up-to-date information and resources: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV
Update 4-02-2020
National Guard steps in to help relieve growing demand at Idaho Foodbank
Dozens of Idaho National Guard members are deployed across the state to help with the growing demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Update 3-20-2020
Idaho public health officials are monitoring the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation very closely. Idaho is currently reporting 23 cases.
For more information visit:
https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
Update 3-19-2020
School Feeding Sites Map Available
Free meals for children are available at approved sites across the state. Children ages 1-18 may pick-up meals at any site, regardless of enrollment. Children must be physically present at the feeding site to receive a meal. Please contact individual sites for meal service times. To locate a feeding site near you, go to the Idaho State School Feeding Site Locator.
UPDATE 3-18-2020
We have created a new page that has general, volunteer and partner agency information:
Coronavirus News and UpdatesUPDATE 3-16-2020
All three branches of the Idaho Foodbank remain open and we are checking in with our partner network and will be updating that information as the situation evolves.
We have been updating our volunteer shift information, and if you are signed up for a shift or have questions please email volunteerservices@idahofoodbank.org.
IF you are looking for food, access our food locator. Most of the listings on there have a phone number. It’s best to call and make sure they are open before you go.
UPDATE 3-11-2020
So far, according to the CDC, there has been no evidence that the virus has been transmitted by food. We have included some additional links:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
- https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/03/experts-say-coronavirus-likely-not-spread-by-foodborne-routes/#
- https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions
USEFUL CDC PDF DOCUMENTS – ENGLISH
- What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- COVID 19 CDC Symptoms
- COVID 19 CDC Stop the Spread
USEFUL CDC PDF DOCUMENTS – SPANISH
- What You Need to Know about COVID 19 CDC Spanish
- What to do if you are sick with COVID 19 CDC Spanish
- COVID 19 CDC Symptoms Spanish
- COVID 19 CDC Stop the Spread Spanish
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent this particular strain of the coronavirus.
Recommendations to prevent infection are aligned with everyday measures to avoid the spread of respiratory diseases. These actions include:
- Practice good hand washing and hand hygiene. Wash your hands well and often, for at least 20 seconds with warm soapy water. Follow with a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Perform hand hygiene afterward if you must touch your face.
- Make sure you have your flu vaccine. This will help maintain your personal health, protect your immune system, and reduce stress on the medical system.
- Risk of virus transmission via food in the supply chain is very low – it is more of a person-to-person risk.
- Frequent reminders for all volunteers and visitors of proper hygiene protocol while in your facilities is important.
- Employee health and hygiene is critical in controlling the spread of the virus. Do not go to work ill. Staying home when you are sick will reduce the risk of any illness to yourself and your co-workers.
- A medical face mask is not required if people are well and NOT exhibiting symptoms. There is no evidence that wearing a mask – of any type – protects non-sick persons.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Have best practices and proper equipment and chemicals in place for cleaning up an issue with bodily fluids in your establishment (e.g. vomit, blood, urine).
- Ensure effective sanitation programs and perform routine environmental cleaning of your facility. Use cleaning agents that effectively kill bacteria and viruses. No additional disinfection beyond what is required for food safety is recommended at this time.
Our normal best practices for health and safety are effective. We simply need to be more mindful and vigilant in applying them, especially during the cold and flu season. If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please reference the websites above. Let’s be safe out there!
Become a Community Partner
Do you want to help with hunger relief efforts in Idaho? Are you a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and have the capacity and resources to store and distribute food, meals or other hunger-related services?
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