BOISE, Idaho — More Idahoans are struggling to put food in their refrigerators and cupboards.
A December report from Hunger Free America shows the number of Idahoans who did not have enough to eat over two weeks in August and September jumped by 86% from 2021 to 2024.
"Those are people who don't know where their next meal is coming from," said Dawn Pierce, national director of organizing and community empowerment.
Pierce helped crunch the numbers for the report; they mainly analyzed data from the federal government.
"It was sickening and interesting and fascinating all at the same time to kind of watch hunger happening on this spreadsheet in real-time," she said.
The increase continues to strain local food pantries. That includes St. Vincent de Paul, which operates five food pantries throughout the Treasure Valley.
Juanita Gallego goes to the Nampa location once in a while.
"Whenever I'm out of food," she said. "When you go to the store, it's really expensive nowadays."
Ralph May, St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho executive director, said every pantry is breaking records. It is just one of several organizations that told KTVB they are seeing an unprecedented number of people line up for food each week.
The statistics included in the report align with what they see, May said.
"They said 86% in Idaho," he said. "Certainly, we have experienced an 84% increase here in the Treasure Valley in the St. Vincent de Paul system. I don't know how we're keeping up with it, to be honest. It's staggering what we're doing and modifying the way we operate to try to be able to get more people through."
There is no stereotype for who may be food insecure, he said. St. Vincent de Paul often serves working families.
Pierce blames the sharp increase of people in need largely on the end of pandemic-era relief programs, which "happened all at once."
"What we saw was a hunger cliff," she said.
Pierce said Idaho's legislature needs to step up during the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers could vote to get rid of the grocery tax or opt into the federal government's Sun Bucks program, which helps feed kids during the summer.
There was some support for the federal program last session, but lawmakers eventually voted no.
"We can't food bank and charity our way out of hunger," she said. "We need policies to help people to lift them up instead of to keep them down."
Despite the increase in demand, May said their team is dedicated to helping those in need. He is thankful for the community members stepping up to volunteer and those who donate money or food.
"If you're struggling to make ends meet, please take advantage of food pantries," he said. "Take advantage of those resources that are there. Don't let your family fall into a situation where you cascade into homelessness or struggle beyond words. There is a safety net here in the valley, and please take advantage of that."
Hunger Free America also runs the National Hunger Hotline on behalf of the USDA. Idahoans who are food insecure can get connected to resources by calling 866-3-HUNGRY or 877-8-HAMBRE.
Idahoans can also find a food pantry near them through The Idaho Foodbank's website.