GARDEN CITY, Idaho — The line of cars waiting to get some much needed relief at the Boise Vineyard Church pantry stretched all the way to Chinden Blvd., showcasing how much the coronavirus has impacted people in the Treasure Valley.
A volunteer told us the number of people looking for help has grown exponentially in the past week. Last Saturday, the food pantry helped around 50 families; this week, the number was 200 and counting with lines stretching a quarter of a mile in two different directions.
"It does highlight the severity of the need which is sad for my heart that we have such a need in our community," said Tammy Chappell a volunteer with the Boise Vineyard Church. "Hopefully we can keep providing for that need.”
Chappell told us that they still have food and plan on getting more after some people showed up just to donate to the cause, including somebody who gave the church $1,000.
The church provides a drive-thru service to maintain social distancing protocols, but with so many people it makes you wonder about the safety of the volunteers during this pandemic.
The church plans to continue doing what they can and the food pantry is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to noon, serving people who live in Ada and Elmore Counties.
"It brings joy to my heart because I’m getting to love on people so yeah we are just praying for people and feeding them at the same time," said Chappell.
