BOISE, Idaho — The coronavirus pandemic has reached every state in the United States. In addition to posing public health challenges, the outbreak has prompted closures of schools and businesses and is straining resources.
Here are ways to help in your community, or resources available to those in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Idaho COVID-19 latest: Latest news | Map of confirmed Idaho cases | Stay-at-home order details | COVID-19 resources | Testing sites | Employers hiring | Essential business list | Closings | School closings | Help nonprofits| Full COVID-19 coverage
For other coronavirus resources, including testing site locations, at-risk grocery hours and resources for children, click here.
Para obtener esta información en español, haga clic aquí para verla en el sitio web de United Way.
How to help local nonprofits
COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund
The Idaho Community Foundation, The United Way of Treasure Valley, and Idaho Nonprofit Center have partnered to create the COVID-19 Response Fund for Idaho. The fund provides immediate and long-term philanthropic support to trusted organizations that provide support and services to low-income, vulnerable people and families. To give now, click here.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army ensures that people have access to food, shelter, and desperately needed services like childcare through its nationwide network. This includes drive-through food pickup, community-based food delivery through canteens, and meals at Salvation Army facilities. The organization is also providing snacks and hydration to first responders.
With an expected spike in requests over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years, ongoing public support will be needed to help ensure that services are available to existing and new vulnerable populations. While all are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, the one in six Americans who are living in poverty will likely feel the effects quicker and more significantly.
The Salvation Army of Ada County
The Salvation Army of Ada County’s greatest need right now is continued donations of non-perishable food. They also need boxes (boxes 20X12X10) to distribute to those who need it as well as small amounts of volunteers to help with the packing and distribution of these boxes.
Donate money. Your donations to the Salvation Army help them serve the most vulnerable members of your community.
The Salvation Army of Caldwell
The Salvation Army of Caldwell needs non-perishable food items including the following:
- Canned fruits & vegetables
- Soup
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Peanut butter
- Jam/jelly
- Spaghetti noodles and sauce
- Bread
Donated items can be dropped off at the loading dock in the alley of The Salvation Army Caldwell (1023 E Chicago St., Caldwell, ID 83605).
If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so online at https://caldwell.salvationarmy.org All donations will stay locally in Caldwell.
The Salvation Army of Nampa
The #COVID19 emergency is changing by the minute and the Salvation Army of Nampa is serving individuals whose hours have been reduced at work, school-age kids in low-income neighborhoods, homeless families and isolated seniors who rely on them for meals and fellowship.
The Salvation Army Community Family shelter of Nampa needs food donations for Grad-&-Go lunches such as: lunch meat, sliced cheese, peanut butter and jelly, bread, string cheese, yogurt, fruit cups, individual conditions, etc. 1412 4th St. S. Nampa.
The Nampa Salvation Army has extended its Emergency Family Shelter by five weeks, remaining open through April 21 in keeping with the Governor's stay at home order, and is committed to further extensions if needed during the Covid-19 crisis. Critical needs are hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bleach, gloves, face masks, sanitizing spray. 1412 4th St. S. Nampa
You can donate and receive updates at: salarmy.us/NampaCOVID-19
The Salvation Army of Twin Falls
The Salvation Army in Twin Falls is hard at work to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their community by providing food to the hungry and sharing hope in the place of fear. This crisis is stretching their resources, and they need your help. Their greatest need is canned food and financial donations. Give now at salarmy.us/covid-19help. #covid19 #fightforgood
The Idaho Foodbank
Currently, The Idaho Foodbank is fully functioning; this includes all its facilities in Boise, Lewiston, and Pocatello. They have approximately 240 community partners (pantries, missions, senior centers, feeding sites, shelters, churches, etc.) and work with nearly 200 schools.
Make a Donation: Idaho Foodbank’s aim is to increase the amount of emergency food made available statewide by a minimum of 10% and up to 50% if possible. Each $1 donated helps provides food for five meals. Please consider helping neighbors by MAKING A DONATION.
Volunteer: Currently Idaho Foodbank’s volunteer programs are intact at their warehouses in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello. They are not canceling any of their volunteer groups at this time. However, they have adjusted to ensure the highest level of health and safety for their volunteers. To VOLUNTEER please check for available shifts:
Boise Rescue Mission
Donations of food and supplies such as water, fresh produce, milk, hydrogen peroxide, baby wipes, and diapers are greatly needed. These items can be dropped off at BRM’s Ministry Center, located at 308 S. 24th Street in Boise or at any of their facilities.
Non-perishable items can also be purchased online and shipped directly to Boise Rescue Mission at 308 S. 24th St, Boise, ID 83702.
The Boise Rescue Mission needs financial donations to purchase food and supplies. Donations can be made online at http://www.boiserm.org or mailed to Boise Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1494, Boise, ID 83701.
Viewers are also encouraged to pray for the Boise Rescue Mission - safety for their staff and guests, peace for the homeless men, women, and children staying in their shelters, and protection over them.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada & Canyon County
The Boys & Girls Club of Ada County and Canyon County are currently providing grab and go meals while schools are closed.
To donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County, click here.
To donate to Boys & Girls Club of Nampa, click here.
United Way of Treasure Valley
The United Way of Treasure Valley has compiled a comprehensive list of Treasure Valley community resources including health care, mental health and crisis resources, Coronavirus information, food & basic needs pantries, student meals, housing resources, elderly support, utility support, childcare, employment support, business support, and transportation. Additionally, they provide lists of education and entertainment resources and resources for educators and parents. To access the lists click here.
To make an online donation to United Way of Treasure Valley, click here. Check donations can be mailed to United Way of Treasure Valley, 3100 S. Vista Ave., Boise, ID 83705
Idaho Youth Ranch
The Idaho Youth Ranch is asking the public to not drop off donations at its thrift stores' back doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit has had to furlough its thrift store employees due to the statewide stay-at-home order.
"The dropping of household goods and other items is causing a lot of harm," Idaho Youth Ranch VP Rich Cline said in a news release. "People are leaving their donations in back of our stores, when no one will be there until at least April 15. The donations sitting outside the stores will ruin in the weather and will create extra work when our teams return from furlough."
Despite shutting down its thrift stores, IYR is continuing its therapeutic work - including telemental health, shelter home for youth, and equine therapy - for vulnerable youth and families throughout the state.
"We are proud to be maintaining these critical services for our community," CEO Scott Curtis said. "Our thrift stores, however, have had to be closed in compliance with the order and in protection of our community's health."
If you would like to help, the Idaho Youth Ranch is accepting monetary donations here.
Goodwill
Like the Idaho Youth Ranch, Goodwill is asking people to avoid bringing items to its stores for donation. The nonprofit said its has a few staff members working to take care of the donations they've already received, but do not want to receive any more until stores have reopened.
Goodwill is accepting monetary donations here.
The Arc Idaho
The Arc Idaho, which provides services to over 500 Idahoans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is "struggling to stay viable" amid the coronavirus outbreak, the organization said in a news release.
The Arc typically relies on donations of used items like clothing, but the pandemic has forced it to close its donation center temporarily, and additional funding is needed so the nonprofit can continue to provide services. If you would like to help, monetary donations are being accepted here.
How to receive help from local non-profits
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is still serving community meals at their Overland dining room. Anyone in need of a meal on Monday and Thursday evenings are able to come by and pick up a dinner meal. They are also serving dining room dinner to go meals from 6 to 7 p.m.
While the food pantries in Boise and Nampa remain open, Holy Apostles and Caldwell are closed until further notice.
Salvation Army of Ada County
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 The Salvation Army in Boise has temporarily changed how they serve the community. Their Client Choice Food Pantry has transitioned to a “Drive-thru” food-box system. The 60-day window of pantry usage will be dismissed during this time of need. The drive-thru food-box system, located at 9492 W. Emerald Street, Boise is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. For more information contact Family Services at (208) 433-4423.
Delivery of Senior commodity food boxes will begin shortly.
Salvation Army of Caldwell
The Salvation Army of Caldwell is providing food to their community members in need with a drive-thru food pantry. The drive-thru food pantry is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM until further notice. For more information on how you can give to or receive help from The Salvation Army of Caldwell, click here.
Salvation Army of Nampa
The Nampa Community Family Shelter provides Grab & Go Lunch Monday-Friday at 1412 4th St. S. Nampa from 11:30 AM-12:00 PM.
The food pantry distributes food boxes Monday-Thursday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 403 12th Ave. S., Nampa. They are sanitizing hands at the door and will allow three people in the lobby at a time. People seeking assistance will be served according to their needs and The Salvation Army’s ability to help. For questions, please contact The Salvation Army Nampa office at 208-467-6586.
For more information on how you can give to or receive help from The Salvation Army of Nampa, click https://nampa.salvationarmy.org or follow them on Facebook.
Salvation Army of Twin Falls
The Salvation Army of Twin Falls is currently serving their community with a food pantry and bread line. The food pantry has bread, sweets and potatoes available. At this time, they are serving one person at a time which provides enough space for social distancing.
Food Boxes for the Elderly and Families with Children
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM and appointments available from 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and appointments available from 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Bread Line
- Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM
If you have any questions please call 208-733-8720. For more information about their hours, visit twinfalls.salvationarmy.org.
The Idaho Foodbank
Free meals for children are available at approved school sites across the state. Children ages 1-18 may pick-up meals at any site, regardless of enrollment. Children must be physically present at the feeding site to receive a meal. Please contact individual sites for meal service times. To locate a feeding site near you, visit the FEEDING SITE LOCATOR.
If you are in the need of food, please click here for the FOOD ASSISTANCE LOCATOR.
Boise Rescue Mission
Boise Rescue Mission offers help to anyone in the community who needs it. That could mean a food box, a meal, shelter, or prayers.
If you need help, please call 208-343-2389.
Boys & Girls Club of Ada County and Canyon County
Boys & Girls Club of Ada County are offering free “Grab-and-Go” meal sites for children in our community. Pre-packaged healthy grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals will be available to any child ages 1-18, regardless of free and reduced lunch eligibility or their school of attendance. Children are not required to be members of Boys & Girls Club. Meals will be provided each day while supplies last. Parents will be able to pick up both breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday between the hours of 11:30 AM-1:30 PM at the following drive-through locations:
Riverfront Park in Garden City (next to Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County)
E 42nd St.
Garden City, ID 83714
Meridian Elementary School
1035 NW 1st St.
Meridian, ID 83642
Boys & Girls Clubs of Nampa
316 Stampede Drive
Nampa, ID 83687
All clubs are open to provide emergency child care relief amid the COVID-19 crisis. Emergency child care is also available at Koelsch Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary.
To donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County, click here.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
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