BOISE, Idaho — With an increased need for financial support, hundreds of non-profits across the Gem State are relying on fundraisers like, Idaho Gives to help raise money for yearly operations and to continue supporting the needs of their respective communities.
In past, Idaho Gives only ran one day. Now, it's running two weeks.
We spoke with two organizations participating in this years event to hear how donations will affect their philantropic efforts.
As of March 13th, the Salvation Army of Boise shared the number of Idahoans they've serviced:
- 26,339 Meals Served/Families Fed
- 380 Emergancy Shelter Nights
- 869 Employee Volunteer Hours to Assist Area Food Banks, Primary Health Districts and Kootenai County EOC
- $5,172 in Rental Assistance
- 200 Homless Hygiene Kits Prepared and Delivered
- 1,321 Supplies Provided to Kooenai County EOC in Support of EMS/Police/Fire
- 2,500 Worshiping Opportunities
- 20,308 Emotional and Spiritual Care Calls and Contacts Made
- 1,861 Community Members Participating in Virtual Group Excercise Classes
Despite falling short of their goal from this past years Red Kettle fundraiser, Major Michael Halverson says, "we’re always looking for different ways that we might be able to serve, and we can only do that through the community’s support."
To support their efforts, you can donate here.
Over in Nampa, "The House Next Door" is dedicating their funds to housing single mothers working full time and attending school. Four families are comfortably housed in a home built back in the 1930's. In addition to providing this housing, volunteers at "The House Next Door" also serve as advocates for the women offering assistance when it comes to applying for food stamps, understanding legal documents and breaking down financial aid information at their schools. They do not "do the work" for their women, but offer as much as help as humanly possible.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 some mothers have lost their jobs and a place to send their children while continuing their educations, online. Funds donated to the program not only supplement cost of living but according to Kathleen Tigerman, the Executive Director, "if the toilet goes out for the fourth time this month it gives us that cushion or if we need to upgrade something in the bathroom or the kitchen it allows us to do that."
Due to the age of the house these necessary repairs do happen frequently and as you can imagine, it's not cheap.
A $25 donation to Idaho Gives provides childcare for one mother for one day. $80 provides one months worth of utilities for one family and $1,000 covers the cost of living for one year for one family.
To support their efforts, you can donate here.
For a list of all participating charities, visit idahogives.org to learn how and where you can donate.
You can also donate at their phone bank, 1-877-ID-GIVES, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on May 7.
