January 7, 2019
Times for many are economically better than years past, however there are many in need. Although Eagle tends to be known for high-end restaurants, larger homes, and spendy boutiques, there is a small haven for those residents who still need help with the basics of life. The Eagle Community Food Bank bridges the gap for people who don’t quite have enough to make ends meet.
After volunteering at the food bank about seven years, Lisa Lavin was asked to take over as president (three years ago), by former leader Karen Arguello. Knowing the ins and outs already made the transition for Lisa somewhat seamless. All positions within the organization are solely volunteer-based, with board members giving of their time in various departments such as donation pick-ups, sorting and community outreach.
Schools in Eagle
Upon the first look of the distribution practices, countless volunteers and business community outpour you can see the system created is a well-oiled machine. With three distributions per month (two days and one evening) this food bank gets even more assistance from a partnership with local churches. Though they band with the Idaho Food Bank to get more resources, the continued and generous community support has rendered Eagle’s organization self-sufficient.
Hundreds of volunteers, food bins at Albertson’s, countless church and community partnerships are the foundation for this successful organization. “We are incredibly blessed with donations from the community to be very self-sufficient” states Lavin. New partnerships with the Idaho Diaper bank and the Eagle library are great surprises. They help to provide more resources the food bank can distribute to the community as in diapers for parents of babies and toddlers, as well as books for people who might not normally get access to them. Instead of paying fines for late books, the library will let you pay in canned food, which also, in turn, goes to the food bank. The food bank is one reason Eagle is special.
Lavin also states “We think some people might still be afraid or too ashamed to come in for help. Here we have no judgment at all, and are just here to get people the food they need.” Empty tummies can go to the food bank on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 10:00 am to noon and on the last Tuesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
How You Can Help
Feel like donating time, goods or money? Take non-perishable goods to the Eagle Main Fire Station, The Eagle Public Library or any food bin located inside Albertsons. Visit them at 149 W. State Street Suite 121, or online or their Facebook page for more information.
The Eagle Community Foodbank is one of my favorite charible causes. It’s just one reason why I love Eagle.
