BOISE, Idaho — More people around Idaho have relied on food banks and pantries over the last few years. New data shows the need is not slowing down.
Hunger Free America states the number of Idahoans who did not have enough food to eat over a one-week period doubled from August 2021 to August 2023.
Food banks and pantries around the state are feeling the impact. The Eagle Community Foodbank, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and The Idaho Foodbank said they need more food to meet demand.
"I've been here for about four years," said Brandon Weast, St. Vincent de Paul Overland pantry manager. "This is the least amount of food that I've seen. It looks like we have a lot right now, but we don't just based off of clients coming through here."
St. Vincent de Paul's Overland location serves more than 700 people per week. On Tuesday alone, they served nearly 220. Last year, Weast said they served about 400 people per week.
The Eagle Community Foodbank is also seeing increased numbers. President Lisa Lavin said they help about 500 people per month, 150 more people per month than last year.
"It's not just larger families," she said. "It's multi-generational. So, we'll see ... young children, adults and seniors in the same household."
Randy Ford, The Idaho Foodbank president, said inflation plays a role in high demand. They serve about 213,000 Idahoans every month.
"We're not back down to the pre-pandemic levels of food insecurity here in the state of Idaho," he said. "We do see there's pressure on food budgets, with the cost of housing [and] basic household items."
It is not just inflation affecting food insecurity. Federal pandemic-era food assistance programs are not available anymore. Some of those included more expansive SNAP benefits and free school lunches.
Both Weast and Lavin said they are running low on donations and need all the help they can get from community members to ensure food banks and pantries are stocked heading into the busy holiday season.
"As we head into the fall, that's typically the good giving season," Lavin said. "So, we're hoping that they will fill back up and carry us into the new year."
Starting in November, a St. Vincent de Paul spokesperson said they need to scale back the number of hours they are open every month because of the shortage of food availability and the growing need within the community.
On top of regular food donations, they are also seeking financial donations to fund their Thanksgiving food box program. Last year, St. Vincent de Paul fed 13,3000 community members during the holiday.
People facing food insecurity can use The Idaho Foodbank's Food Assistance Locator. There is also a page of resources for Idahoans wanting to make an impact.
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