'Families Feeding Families' sets record

After learning that local food banks often face shortages during the late winter months, The Salvation Army Kroc Center shifted its annual food drive from November to February to better meet community needs. The Families Feeding Families initiative has since helped support neighbors across North Idaho who struggle with food insecurity by restocking pantry shelves and providing funds for future food purchases.

Thanks to Kroc Center members and local donors, this year’s effort resulted in record-breaking support for area food banks and church pantries. The drive collected more than 7,800 pounds of protein-rich food, filling 390 boxes, well surpassing the 2026 goal of 250 boxes. In addition, $11,971.59 was raised in cash donations, exceeding the $9,500 fundraising goal.

“We can’t thank our Kroc Center members, community members and youth volunteers enough for their commitment to community and support of their North Idaho neighbors,” said Jules Cosby, Community Outreach Coordinator. “Families Feeding Families is a true picture of our community loving our neighbors as ourselves.”

More than 66 hours of volunteer service helped make the effort possible. Youth volunteers from Ramsey Magnet School, STEM Charter Academy, the Coeur d’Alene High School Freshman Boys Basketball Team, Christian Youth Theater’s HYPE team, and The Kroc Center’s REVIVE middle and high school youth groups collected food, sorted donations, packed boxes and loaded trucks for distribution.

The food was delivered to food banks and church pantries in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Spirit Lake, Osburn and Wallace. Additional funds raised will be distributed among these agencies, allowing them to purchase food as needed to meet the unique needs of their communities throughout the year.

For the third year, a portion of the funds will also support Canopy Village’s Family Support Center, which partners with the Coeur d’Alene School District to provide meals during the summer months when children may have greater difficulty accessing food.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 208-763-0633.