Major drive for food banks in Eastern Idaho

IDAHO FALLS - During the giving months of November and December, the food bank receives more items than it can use. But during the rest of the year? They're hurting for donations.

Two major food drives are wrapping up right now, Caps for Cans, and the Interfaith Food Drive. And with extra mouths to feed because of the rough economy, these food drives are going to make a huge impact.

Putting their efforts where other people's mouths are, Caps for Cans has just delivered a trailer full of food to the food bank.

"The way the economy is right now, there's a lot families out there right now who can use the help. You got families with young children... So whatever we can do as a company, and a community, to help prevent that, we feel like it's our obligation and responsibility to do," said Shane Wilker overseeing Caps for Cans with John Deere.

Just how far does a trailer full of food go? Well the food bank says they get about a month's worth of food out of this, which feeds between 1,000 and 1,500 families.

"This community is the most amazing community I've ever seen," said Sheryl Bailey with the Food Bank.

Sheryl Bailey says demand from the Food Bank is up over 50% for the past 18 months, so every little bit counts considering they deliver food to 13 different local Food Banks.

"I've always had the philosophy that if somebody has to ask for food, I'm going to try to find a way to try and get it to them," said Bailey.

And that's how local church leaders feel too. The Interfaith Food Drive involves more than 10 church organizations.

"Two things we're concerned with. First of all, we want to do everything we can to raise food and food awareness for those in need in our community. And also to give a visible expression of working with others in Christ for those in our community of different faiths," said Pastor Don Dunn with the First Christian Church in Idaho Falls.

Food collected from both of these drives has to tide the Food Bank over until the Boy Scouts do their food drive in October.

The last day for the Interfaith Food Drive is Saturday. If you want to get involved, just contact your local church leader or bring your donations directly to your local food bank.

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• food
• drive
• bank
• idaho
• falls