Silver Valley food banks receive VFW donation

OSBURN – A recent string of donations from the Shoshone VFW Post 1675, has the local Silver Valley food banks extending their gratitude.

In April, Post Commander Chris Marker took $500 to each of the four food banks in Shoshone County.

Real Life Food Bank in Pinehurst, the Worship Center Food Bank in Smelterville, the Shoshone County Food Bank in Kellogg, and the Wallace Food Bank all received funds — which is the easiest way for them to receive donations.

While food drives can be helpful in making sure that they keep their shelves stocked — monetary donations allow the food banks to shop for their specific needs in their specific channels, which helps them purchase the foods that are the staples of their services.

The funds came directly from the VFW — either through their monthly fundraising efforts or through donations from the VFW members themselves.

“The Wallace Food Bank reached out to us and said that their shelves were getting empty,” Marker said. “We decided that since we are Shoshone County’s VFW, we would give to all four food banks in the county.”

According to Wallace Food Bank director Michael Hoffman, in 2022 the Wallace Food Bank received less than half of the donations that they had received during the previous two years.

Unfortunately, the food bank is now serving more than double the number of families compared to that time.

One of the main ways people had previously gotten involved was through Wallace Harvest Foods, where customers could purchase a pre-packaged paper sack of food that would then be donated to the food bank, but that participation has decreased as well.

While monetary donations may be the easiest route, the local food banks are not turning away non-perishable food donations.

If locals would like to donate any items, the food banks have put together a list of the things that have the biggest impact on their families.

• Tomato products (sauce, diced tomatoes, etc)
• Pasta
• Cake/brownie mix
• Dry cereal
• Beans (canned or dry)
• Boxed meals (mac & cheese, Hamburger Helper, etc)
• Canned veggies
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc).
  

“We want to take care of our Valley,” Marker said. “Theirs is a great need right now, especially with inflation and soaring prices on everyday items.”

For more information on the Shoshone VFW, please call them at 208-752-4811 or email them at vfw1675@cebridge.net.

The Real Life Food Bank can be reached at 208-682-4944.

The Shoshone County Food Bank can be reached at 208-783-4901.

The Wallace Food Bank can be reached at (916) 764-9252.

The Worship Center Food Bank can be reached at 208-783-8902.