The Hunger Coalition - Bellevue, Idaho - Fighting hunger, feeding hope!

The Nation’s Unemployment Landscape September 26, 2011 The New York Times

The recession and the slow recovery have reshaped the nation’s economic map, with the highest unemployment rates now found in the West and the South. Click Here for Link to Map.

Deep Recession Sharply Altered U.S. Jobless Map By MICHAEL COOPER September 26, 2011 The New York Times

When the unemployment rate rose in most states last month, it underscored the extent to which the deep recession, the anemic recovery and the lingering crisis of joblessness are beginning to reshape the nation’s economic map. (Read More)

Another 2.6 million people slipped into poverty in the United States last year, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday, and the number of Americans living below the official poverty line, 46.2 million people, was the highest number in the 52 years the bureau has been publishing figures on it. And in new signs of distress among the middle class, median household incomes fell last year to levels last seen in 1996. (Read Complete Article Here)

Growing vegetables, plants and flowers is empowering. However, the short growing season and the variety of micro climates in the Wood Valleycan make planting anything a challenge. The Sawtooth Botanicall Garden is a community resource whose business is to understand the challenges of growing and provide the community with inforamtion on battling the tricky growing seasons . . . Read More

Hailey - Tired of eating the same old thing? Need a way to make those groceries last longer? Join us TONIGHT from 5:30 - 7pm at the St. Charles Church Hall in Hailey for "Creative Leftovers". To begin this FREE workshop, we will prepare and share a simple "whole-foods" meal. Next, we will share ideas about creating new dishes from the "leftovers" . . . (Read More)

Boise - Before recession hit, Idaho, Nevada and Utah has some of the lowest rates of food stamp usage in the nation. It was a boom time in a region that had always prided itself on self-reliance and a disdain for government handouts. But since the recession began, these three states have the fastest growth rates in the nation of participation in the federal program, recently released figures show.

Burley - Some Cassia County elementary school children had their hunger pangs eased over the weekend after the school district launched a food backpack program in conjunction with the Idaho Foodbank. Cassia County School District nurse Kyle Hodges said the district is preparing 40 backpcks to send out each weekend with students chosen by their elementary school's administration. (Read More)

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas with our families, grateful for our blessings, it's important to remember that 1 in 6 children struggle to get enough to eat in Idaho. For those children, the holidays are not a time of bounty but a time of increased hunger. That's because the school lunches and breakfasts that help nourish them during the school week aren't served during vacations. (More)

For some families, this is the season to load up the Christmas tree with brightly wrapped gifts. Other families, though, make giving a centerpiece of their holidays, a habait handed down through generations. Here are the stories of three families in south-central Idaho who celebrate charitable traditions, including information about how you can help them to help others. (Read More)

There has always been a need for a food bank in Blaine County. But lately, the people accessing it have had a different look in their eyes. "We are seeing those people who have had too much pride before to walk through our doors", said Jeanne Liston, executive director of The Hunger Coalition. "People don't realize it could be their neighbors, and very well might be their neighbors, who are coming." As the national economic trroubles have continued, many families have depleted their savings . . . . (Read More)

On a recent autumn day Steve Kidd was hard at work putting up plastic to winterize rooms for residents a the Super 7 Motel. The downtown Twin Falls motel is a temporary stopping place of sorts, with deposit-free rooms offering tenants a simple living space until they can find more permanent housing. In recent months, the demand for rooms has increased - a reflection of a weak economy that's left more Idahoans out of work and scratching by with whatever jobs they can find. Here, youngsters make their way through the school system as parts of fmailie striving to better their situation. Read More

On a fall afternoon in mid-October, several Latino women, a few Latino children, a few Anglo women and a few Anglo men gathered at the side entrance of the Community Campus in Hailey. Leaning against the outside wall of the building, the group formed a line. A few women were speaking in Spanish about seeing each other. Two men were discuss ing the day's news. Read More.

The Hunger Coalition will sponsor opportunities throughout the month to inform the Wood River Valley community about how hunger is affecting local individuals and families. Hunger Coalition Executive Director Jeanne Liston said there is simplyot enough to make ends meet for too many Blaine County residents. Read More.

It was mid-June and mounds of snow still dotted Baldy and Dollar Mountain when volunteers for the Blaine County Hunger Coalition planted their first seeds on land that used to host the Blaine County Jail. Now, 400 pounds of lettuce, kale, spinach and other produce later, the coalition wiull celebrate the bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs harvested from its Hope Garden with a Harvest of Hope Celebration. (Read More)

Summer appears to have come and gone in the blink of an eye, but left in its wake a bountiful harvest beyond expectations for the first plantings in the Hunger Coalition's Hope Garden. "It was an amazing summer", said Executive Director Jeanne Liston. Read More

The Weekly Paper
Harvest of Hope party September 13, 2010
By Karen Bossick

The Blaine County Hunger Coalition will celebrate the bounty of fresh vegetables grown at its new Hope Garden on Saturday with a Harvest of Hope Celebration. Read More

Harry Weekes points to a zucchini peeking out from under a big head of lettuce. "Zappalito", says Lorena Horne. Weekes makes a notation in a palm-sized notebook and returns his attention to the garden bed in front of him gesturing towards the lettuce. "La lechuga", says Horne. They're growing more than vegetables at the Blaine County Hunger Coalitions's new Hope Garden. They're growing friendships - and an understanding of languauge and culture, too. Read More

We live in a remarkable community. For people in need, there is help, and hope. For the organizations providing that assistance, there are community-minded foundations like the Deer Creek Fund at the Helen K. and Arthur J. Johnson Foundation to offer critical financial support. Read More

We Can End This
August 24, 2010
By Scott Henderson
www.wecanendthis.com

Next Thursday, we will deliver 150,000 meals to Idaho families in need. All because you and 1,444 others in the state made a promise to help end hunger in America. As one of the people who helped the Gem State achieve victory in the Digital Can Drive, we invite you to be a part of the celebration - either in person or online. Read More

Follow The Hunger Rally Page at Facebook or visit www.wecanendthis.com for more information.

Idaho's Bounty, a local food co-op based out of the Wood River Valley that provides healthy, local and ethically produced food to customers direct from producers in Southwest Idaho, today announced that the Co-op's raffle prize support of The Advocates' 2010 Gala resulted in $1,500 in food from Idaho's Bounty being donated to the Hunger Coalition. (Read More)

The Hope Garden is growing more than plants this summer. Beginning Monday August 2nd, The Hunger Coalition introduces “Language in the Garden”, a new program open to bi-lingual community members to enrich language skills and cultural understanding. Participants will gather at The Hope Garden on Monday evenings from 5 – 6 pm. (Read More).

All across America, it is happening. People are hurting. For some, this economy may be around. But millions of families are at risk of going hungry in one of the richest nations on earth. The number of Americans visiting local food pantries has jumped 30 percent in the past two years alone. And here, in this rural region of Ohio, the very heart of America, the need is especailly urgent . . . the stories poignent. (Read More).

Local Heroes

Sun Valley Online

Good Food and Good Fun for Blaine County Kids
June 7, 2010
By The Hunger Coalition
The Hunger Coalition teams up again with the Blaine County School District to sponsor The Lunch Connection, offering free meals to kids during the summer.
Read More

Sun Valley Online
Women's Foundation Gives $89,500 to Blaine County Nonprofits
June 4, 2010
By Jo Murray
The Wood River Women's Charitable Foundation has announced grants totaling $89,500 to seven Wood River Valley nonprofits, ranging from The Hunger Coalition to Habitat for Humanity.
Read More

Idaho Statesman
Idaho food Stamp surge tops nation
June 4, 2010
By Anna Webb
Forty million Americans - more than ever before received food stamps in March. That's up 21 percent from a year ago, and 1.2 percent from February, according to the Department of Agriculture. And Idaho's 43 percent increase in food stamp usage over the past year is the largest in the United States. Read More

Idaho Mountain Express
Hunger Coalition appoints manager
May 19, 2010
By Staff Writer
Hallie Reikowsky will oversee the coordination of clients and community members as the garden and education manager for the Hunger Coalition's community garden in Hailey. Reikowsky will work with clients, schools, students groups, community organizations and valley non-profits to help people grow their own food in an "outdoor" classroom environment. Reikowsky seeks volunteers and anyone interested in contributing their gardening expertise in creating and maintaining the garden. In addition, donations for the garden will be accepted. The Garden Wish List is online at thehungercoalition.org. For details, email hreikowsky@thehungercoalition.org or call 788-0121.

The Weekly Paper
Spring food drive for Golden Can Award
May 19, 2010
By Weekly Staff Writer
The Hunger Coalition announces the start of its annual Spring Corporate Food Drive, beginning may 17th and continuing through May 28th. Challenging businesses in Blaine County to motivate their employees and patrons to contribute . . .
Read More

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