Silver Valley food instability issues aided by local partnerships

WALLACE — The turnout for the Wallace Food Bank has kept steady since the dramatic increase it experienced in this past fall.

The food bank's president, Michael Hoffman said the group may be making a move in the near future if a good fit for the agency is found.

“It will take some time, but prayerfully optimistic that we’ll find a location that will be a win-win for the best interest of our community, volunteers, individuals and families,” Hoffman said.

The food bank is looking for a location with approximately 1,500 square feet and better access to accommodate mobility issues. 

The food bank has operated from the basement of the Prayer Station with steep steps and winding rooms where the grocery supplies are kept. 

Partnerships expand access to food

Somewhere between 65-80 individuals and families receive each month through the food bank, and local partnerships have expanded the offerings available for families. 

For the last two months, connections with the Post Falls Food Bank have incorporated fresh perishable food for distribution through their food share program.

The Post Falls Food Bank distributes food to 20 other nonprofits to fight food instability around the area in addition to the 400-500 families in Post Falls, Hauser and Rathdrum who use the Post Falls location for groceries to supplement their food supply. 

Silver Valley CARES representatives have provided boots on the ground at the Wallace and Osburn food banks. The two sites often help share supplies so needs are better met evenly across the county.

Nicole McCraw of SV CARES said when it comes to fighting issues like food instability, “We are better together.”

The University of Idaho Extension Eat Smart Idaho recently joined in food stability efforts in the Silver Valley through the Wallace Food Bank.

A connection the extension has with Dairy West will provide the Wallace Food Bank with a refrigeration unit once it moves into a new site. This will enable it to offer dairy and other perishable foods.

Seasonal recipe cards are also being shared through the program based on foods which are often available at the food bank and Eat Smart Idaho demonstrations and samples are available for residents at the food bank. 

The U of I program’s goal is to increase the reach of promoting healthy food choices and helping to increase access to healthy foods in Shoshone County.

Eat Smart Idaho coordinator Kali Gardiner said, “This is the first food bank we have collaborated with on our healthy food bank work in the Silver Valley and Michael is so excited to be able to better meet the needs in his community.”

Youth Silver Valley food distribution

The Idaho Department of Education is currently readying the Summer Food Service Program with plans to focus on St. Maries, Boundary County, Kootenai, Kellogg and Wallace. This summer program is designed to cover the summer gap by providing nutritious meals to youth 18 years and younger while school is not in session. According to Feeding America’s 2021 Map the Meal Gap, about 8.6% of Idaho’s children have experienced food insecurity. 

Food distribution

Real Life Ministries Thrift Store —  109 N. Division. Pinehurst, Fridays, 10.a.m.-1 p.m.

Silver Valley Worship Center Food Bank — 307 Main St. Smelterville, Tuesday 3-4:30 p.m.

Community Action Partnership Food Bank — 114 Riverside Ave. W., Kellogg, 208-783-4901, Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m.

Wallace, Mullan and Osburn Food Banks:  

First Thursday — 214 N. Second, Osburn 3-5 p.m.

Second Thursday — Bethany Lutheran Church, Mullan 4-6 p.m.

Third Thursday — 215 Fourth St., Wallace 3-5 p.m.

Call Michael Hoffman if you have a potential Wallace Food Bank location at 916-764-9252.

    Folks getting food from the Wallace Food Bank get to shop from items stocked by the community, or they can take pre-bundled bags of a variety of food items. While they're waiting for a turn to shop, they're able to get a hot meal.