Hayden Homes, First Story fight food insecurity

This December, Hayden Homes, Simplicity by Hayden Homes, and First Story undertook a major philanthropic campaign across the Northwest in support of organizations fighting food insecurity. 

The campaign included gifts totaling $66,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Western Montana. In addition, a company-wide food drive totaled more than 2,500 pounds of non-perishable foods, which team members delivered to local food banks where they also contributed more than 60 hours of volunteer time, a press release said.

Community members facing food insecurity are experiencing a lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America, a leading data provider on the issue. Feeding American estimates that in 2023, 12.7% of Idahoans, or more than 250,000 people, were food insecure. 

“Food insecurity remains a reality for many families across the Inland Northwest, and our team feels a deep responsibility to be part of the solution,” said Kaleb Simon, regional director for Hayden Homes. “By gathering donated goods, volunteering time in local food kitchens and providing financial support, we’re proud to stand alongside the organizations working tirelessly to fight hunger.”

Regional homebuilders Hayden Homes and Simplicity's philosophy is to Give As You Go so together we build a strong community and lead fulfilled lives. The companies invest in the communities where they build, and the organizations’ three philanthropic areas of focus include Food Security, Housing Solutions and Youth and Education, according to the release.

The flagship of Hayden Homes’ giving initiatives is through First Story, a 501(c)3 founded by the company in 1998 to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to under-resourced families across the Northwest. Each year, First Story donates hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations whose work strengthens local communities.        

In North Idaho, Hayden Homes, Simplicity, and First Story gave more than $11,000 to local organizations including the Idaho Food Bank, Post Falls Food Bank and Second Harvest Inland Northwest Food Bank. The funds will support a variety of initiatives to ensure community members can feed their families not just at the holidays but throughout the year. 

Collectively, team members across Idaho also gathered 850 pounds of canned and dry foods. Of this, 611 pounds of food were delivered to the Second Harvest Inland Northwest Food Bank along with a $4,000 gift, which will enable the organization to purchase more than 20,000 pounds of food. Additionally, Hayden Homes team members volunteered at Second Harvest helping to sort 2,000 pounds of grapes.

"We are committed to setting the table for our neighbors in need," said Jason Clark, CEO of Second Harvest Inland Northwest. "When local homebuilders like Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the organizations working to alleviate hunger, we can better and more effectively nourish our community from all angles, from addressing immediate needs to long-term food security."

An additional 239 pounds of food were delivered to Idaho Food Bank, which serves approximately 179,000 people monthly through more than 400 partners in 44 counties throughout Idaho.