Foodbank explains process

Dear editor:

In the Nov. 26 edition, a spokesman from Cheer Basket lamented that The Idaho Foodbank was in competition with his organization for donations and that we require proof of income before food can be distributed.

I would like to clear up that misunderstanding.

The Idaho Foodbank is in the business of creating partnerships, not competition.

At our three facilities across Idaho, we look for ways to partner with other organizations in order to reach as many needy people as possible.

And we do not require proof of income. Our goal to add resources to communities, not subtract them.

What we ask is that our partner organizations be non-profits, track the number of low-income people served, submit monthly reports on people served and have adequate and safe storage facilities. To date, there are about 200 such partners across the state.

Cheer Basket has chosen not to become a partner agency. Nevertheless, since 1998 the Foodbank has given out 986 turkeys and 150 hams to Cheer Basket.

In 2007, the Foodbank also provided 21,160 pounds of food to Elmore County, and thus far in 2008 we have provided 39,067 pounds of food. In addition, by the time this letter appears we will have had another Mobile Pantry delivery -- a truckload of food that went directly to hungry people in Elmore County.

Partnerships are the solution to issue of hunger being faced by our friends and neighbors throughout Idaho. I believe that as long as one child or one senior citizen goes without food, we all suffer.

I strongly encourage people from throughout the community to come together to support one another, not just during our holiday season but throughout the year.

Roger Simon

president and CEO

Idaho Foodbank