Annual Report 2004
Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope
A Note from Our President...
In December 2003, the Hunger Coalition had three volunteers. We went door-to-door in frigid temperatures to every business in the
Valley, sharing our mission, answering questions, and asking for donations. We didn’t know what to expect and we had no idea how
people would respond. Local newspapers soon got wind of what we were doing and published feature articles with titles such as
“Hunger in Sun Valley?”
The poignant articles startled many. They learned food stamp use hovered at record highs, 25% of all students in public schools
qualified for federal breakfast or lunch programs, and client visits at the local soup kitchen was up 50%. Our phone started ringing.
People wanted to help and businesses wanted to support. By January, we had eight volunteers and had raised $7,000.
One year later, I’m amazed at our growth and the impact we’ve made on hunger in Blaine County. We have 54 volunteers. We
operate a food bank. We manage six major initiatives. We received our nonprofit tax status. We raised $57,000. And we’ve become
one of the primary organizations people think of when they think of hunger in Blaine County.
Our most important accomplishment was creating a countywide safety net of food security through our food box and food voucher
initiatives. This safety net ensures no child or family in food crisis should fall through the cracks. This is a tremendous achievement,
and I’m grateful to our dedicated volunteers and the two dozen social workers and social service agencies that provide our vouchers
and boxes to those in need.
Our goals for the coming year are clear. We want to fine tune our current initiatives, build and engage a broad volunteer base, expand
our board to nine members, and launch one or two new initiatives such as starting year round food collection at grocery stores, and
providing after school snack programs for low income children. Plus, we plan to spearhead a network of social services agencies,
educators, and community leaders dedicated to addressing the structural causes of hunger—poverty, education, employment, and
housing.
The Hunger Coalition is fiscally responsible, and I am proud to say we’re made up entirely of volunteers, with no paid staff or
directors. Our board remains committed to creating a sustainable organization that ends hunger and helps people achieve long-term
economic security, without creating an “enabling” program. I’m thankful to all those working toward this end.
Sincerely,
Tom Iselin
Founder and President
“As a school social worker, I see first hand the poverty we have in this community. Hunger is not always obvious, but if you work in an elementary
school, you can see the signs . . . Being able to give a family a food box or a grocery voucher is a tremendous act and is so appreciated by the
families. Your coalition's mission is sincere and very worthwhile. I hope I can continue to count on your service so that many of our families receive
the basic food they need.”
– Teri McKenna, MSW, School Social Worker, Hailey Elementary School
Post Office Box 2599, Sun Valley, Idaho, 83353
~
(208) 720-8701
~
bchunger@aspenrg.org
2004 Initiatives and Accomplishments
Food Vouchers. Our $20 vouchers allow people to purchase food at three Atkinson’s Markets in Blaine County. Our cost on each
voucher is $17. Vouchers may also be used to buy personal care items not covered by food stamps such as diapers, toothpaste,
personal hygiene, and paper goods. Vouchers are on hand at—or available on demand to—16 social service workers as well as every
major social service agency in the Valley. Recipients are not required to complete any paperwork to receive a voucher. In 2004,
$5,680 worth of vouchers were distributed to families, benefiting 321 children. (Actual figures could be higher, since figures are
based on families who chose to complete our voluntary “tracking” form.)
Food Boxes. Our 50-pound food boxes contain 30 food items and will feed a family of four for three to five days. Each box includes
a variety of healthful and nutritious food items. Albertson’s Market helps subsidize the cost of the food boxes, and when available,
we supplement the boxes with donated personal care items. Like the voucher initiative, every social service worker and agency has
access to our food boxes. We started this initiative in December 2004, and estimate we’ll be distributing 400-600 food boxes during
2005.
Food Bank. In December, Bank of America granted us 1,500 square feet of storage space in the basement of their Ketchum branch,
free of charge. Our food bank is the central clearinghouse for the food we collect and distribute. As of December 31, our food bank
had more than 2,500 food and personal care items.
Fundraising. On December 11, we held our first
fundraiser called Art and Soul. Anne Reed Gallery
hosted the event and 31 volunteers invested a lot of
time, energy, and resources to make the evening a
success. The event included a silent auction for art,
sculptures, catering services, and restaurant gift
certificates ranging from $100 to $5,000. We held a
live auction for food vouchers and food baskets.
The event netted $34,000. The Annenberg
Foundation provided a matching grant of $35,000 in
March 2005. Our Christmas mailer raised $10,000.
The sale of Tom Iselin’s book The Bread of Life,
raised $7,000. Other 2004 gifts totaled $10,000.
Pick-up and Delivery Service. We lunched a pickup and delivery service in November. If any
business, social service agency, or faith based
organization sponsors a food drive, the Hunger
Some of our fabulous volunteers setting up for Art and Soul, the Hunger Coalition’s first
Coalition will arrange to pick up the food, divide it, fundraiser, at the Anne Reed Gallery in Ketchum.
and then equitably delivery it to social service
agencies. We collected and distributed excess food from The Community School and Silver Creek Alternative School food drives,
and the Valley’s annual Holiday Gift Basket program. In 2005, we plan to launch a year round food collection initiative by putting
food collection barrels in all the grocery stores in the Valley.
Outreach:
Publicity. We spent a lot of time and effort raising awareness about hunger in the Blaine County. We wrote guest opinions,
press releases, and talked with editors of local newspapers. Tom Iselin also did radio and television interviews and addressed
boards of various community organizations to answer questions and discuss issues about hunger and the Hunger Coalition.
Advertising. We received an $8,000 donation restricted for awareness advertising and outreach. We placed 22 newspaper ads
displaying hunger statistics, testimonials, and general information. We also placed ads highlighting social services and sources
of food assistance available to children and families in need.
Publications. We publish and distribute a Food Card. This information resource “card” provides resources in the county that
can help people move from dependency to self-sufficiency. The front is printed in English, the back in Spanish. It includes a
map with directions to the local soup kitchen. Social service agencies, schools, and businesses help distribute Food Cards
throughout the community.
Data Collection. The Hunger Coalition is the first organization in Blaine County to aggregate and publish countywide hunger
statistics. We have one volunteer dedicated solely to tracking hunger and poverty statistics. We publish our statistics every
November and we use statistics in our awareness ads and outreach material.
"The financial assistance and food vouchers we have received from the Coalition help us meet one of
the Center’s goals of providing emergency food to those in need. We recognize that partnering with
other organizations such as The Hunger Coalition to meet community needs is the most effective way
to make change in Blaine County."
– Lexi Holz, MA, Community Outreach Coordinator, St. Luke's Center for Community Health
Food Voucher Initiative
The Hunger Coalition purchased its first $20 food vouchers from Atkinson’s Market in
February 2004. Atkinson’s generously offers us the vouchers at a 15% discount. In 2004, we
purchased $8,000 worth of vouchers at a total cost of $6,800.
Board of Directors
Tom Iselin
President
Katie Corkery
Secretary
Brooke Bonner
Treasurer
Cathy Baer
Last year, we distributed 284 vouchers ($5,680) to Blaine County families and individuals in
need of emergency food resources. Ten social service agencies had vouchers on hand to
distribute to clients in need: St. Luke’s Center for Community Health, The Advocates, Head
Start, Blaine County School District, Blaine County Services, South Central District Health,
the Senior Center, Carey Food Pantry, Wood River Pregnancy Center, and Health and
Welfare. In addition, Hunger Coalition board members and volunteers distributed vouchers
to individuals who contacted the organization directly.
The Hunger Coalition also provided $700 to food pantries: $400 to St. Luke’s Center for
Community Health and $300 to Head Start. This food was meant to supplement the food
vouchers during the time prior to the establishment of our food box initiative and our food
bank in the basement of Bank of America in Ketchum.
We ask people who receive food vouchers to voluntarily provide demographic information.
Because this information is voluntary, not everyone completes our demographic tracking
form; therefore, the following numbers do not reflect the entire population we served.
During 2004, approximately 321 children benefited from a food voucher. 47% of these
children were between the ages of 0-5 years, 24% between 6-10 years, 11% between 11-13
years, and 17% between 14-17 years. The average family household size was 3 people and
the average number of children per household was 2. In terms of marital status, 20% were
married, 43% single, 24% divorced and 13% other (widowed, separated, etc.). Recipients’
ethnicity was 56% white, 40% Latino/Hispanic, and 4% Other. 69% of the families/
individuals that completed this voluntary tracking form reported they had not received a
food voucher in the past.
Kristina Guerricabeitia
Heather Guy
Our Mission
To manage a coordinated effort to
end hunger in Blaine County by
acquiring and distributing food
through a network of social
service agencies, grocery stores,
restaurants, businesses, and
volunteers working to supply
healthful food to those in need. To
improve the lives of those in need
by helping them transition from
dependency to self-sufficiency
through self-development by
connecting them with the food
they need and the services
available locally to help them
achieve long-term economic
security. To address the structural
causes of hunger through
community awareness, advocacy
and policy change.
To contact us:
The Hunger Coalition
Post Office Box 2599
Sun Valley, ID 83353
(208) 720-8701
bchunger@aspenrg.org
*Printed on recycled paper
One of 50 food boxes assembled recently at Albertson’s by a team of Hunger Coalition
volunteers. These boxes are distributed to the hungry through local social service agencies.
"The development of hunger coalitions in Blaine County and elsewhere across the state is a sign of communities coming together across Idaho to
make a difference. Problems may be national, but solutions are local. The Blaine County Hunger Coalition is one critical way that local residents in
Blaine County are making a difference in the lives of people facing food insecurity." – Roger Simon, Executive Director, The Idaho Foodbank
2004 Financial Report
In its first year of operation, The Hunger Coalition had
significant financial success. Through the efforts of our
directors, volunteers and fundraising committee, the financial
stability of the organization was ensured for the next year.
Our 2004 income of $57,460 came primarily from a few sources.
The major source was our first fundraiser, Art and Soul, which
far exceeded our expectations by raising over $34,000. Just over
$14,000 was given as restricted donations for our food voucher
and food basket programs. The rest of the income from Art and
Soul came from our silent auction of fine art items and food/
catering packages, and raffle ticket sales.
We received $16,000 through direct mail and in-person
solicitation campaigns, and numerous unsolicited donations.
Sales of The Bread of Life, a book by Hunger Coalition founder
and president, Tom Iselin, brought an additional $7,000 in 2004.
The Bread of Life is an independent project of Tom’s that he
pledged 100% of the proceeds from local sales to The Hunger
Coalition.
General Donations, 28%
Bread of Life sales, 12%
2004 Income
Art and Soul Fundraising
Event, 60%
Our income is divided between unrestricted funds (53%) and
funds designated specifically for the purchase of food vouchers
and food baskets (47%). Because The Hunger Coalition has no
paid staff, directors or building expenses, the vast majority of the
unrestricted funds will be used to purchase food and to support
other service programs.
The Hunger Coalitions expenses in its first year of operation are
as follows:
2004 Expenses
Organizational
Development, 10%
Administration,
11%
Fundraising, 24%
Programs, 55%
While this distribution of funds is acceptable, in future years the
distribution will be much different. For example, the
“Organizational Development” category is made up of one-time
organizational set-up costs associated with incorporation and
gaining non-profit status. Therefore, in the future, that expense
category will not appear here.
In the Fundraising category, 65% of these costs in 2004 were for
our major event, Art and Soul. The $3,000 we spent on the event
paid off with $34,000 net revenue (60% of our 2004 income).
Because of the success of the event, we will not need to host
another event until 2006.
In addition, expenditures for our direct services programs—food
vouchers, food baskets, community education, etc.—did not
begin for the most part until after the second quarter (after
incorporation and the first board of directors convened).
Therefore, the $11,258 spent on programs in 2004 only
represents a portion of the year. In our next year of operation,
we expect that our service programs will represent the vast
majority of our expenditures.
“The Hunger Coalition is benefiting the community and people in need. It provides a feeling of relief for those suffering to know that people do care
and people do want to help. The world is a hard place to live sometimes and a simple gesture can make all the difference of how we view the world
we live in. I volunteer with The Hunger Coalition because I would want to know that someone was helping me if I were ever in the same situation.”
– Kristina Guerricabeitia, Hailey
2004 Donors
Cash Donations
A.G. Edwards
Albertson's/Food Industry
Crusade Against Hunger
Center Q Interior Design, Inc.
Kensington Management, LLC
Marketron International
McCain Charitable Trust
Rocky Mountain Hardware
The Kohl Foundation
The Life Church
Wood River Insurance
Dan and Susan Alban
Mimi Amrit
Peter Andrews
Connie Aronson
Sharon Bandrevics
Mo Barry
Kathryn Beste
Richard Boddie
Sandy Bongard
Brooke Bonner
Chas and Torene Bonner
Stephanie Bourgette
Robert Bouttier
Kristine Bretall
Michael and Kelly Brown
Steve Brown
Steve Butler
Bill and Eltina Campbell
Matt Carlson
Janet Carter
Bill and Jeanne Cassell
Barry and Jorunn Coe
Sue Cohen
Kathie Collier
Cameron Cooper and Council
Circle members
Katrina Cord
Katie and Scott Corkery
John and Mary Cvetich
Barbara Dargatz
Nathan and Jennifer Davis
Janet deBard
Alexandra Delis-Abrams
Rick Diorio
Paul DiRuggiero
Jo-Anne Dixon
Kenneth and Margaret Dolan
John and Lynn Dominick
Janet Dunbar
Phyllis Duncan
Walter and Hope Eisank
John and Gretchen Evans
James and Leigh Everitt
Gregg and Janet Falcone
James and Barbara Figge
Tom and Heidi Fitch
Happy Fitzgerald
Susan Flynt
Alison and Steve Frinsko
Robert and Kathryn Gardner
Jenny Gatehouse
Alan Gelet
Mark and Kerry George
Nicholas Gilman
John and Gretchen Gorham,
Johnny G's Subshack
Lars and Heather Guy
Kelly Hackbarth
Norma Hale
Lisa Hall
Gail Handy
Paul Hansen
Jane and Paul Hansen
Laneta Hansen
Happy Hawn
Alison Hayes
Phil and Jenny Hebert
Roberta Heinrich
Floyd Hill
Dave and Jill Hitchin
Trevor Hitchin
Greg and Heidi Hogan
Lexi Holz
Kathleen Hughes, Sun Valley
Lighting
Nancy Humphrey
Cecile and Trent Jones
Janne Joy
Linda Kish
Lauren Kulik
Stratton Laggis
Patrick and Joan Lamb
Heather Langley
Tracy Lee
Sheila Liermann
Tom and Jeanne Liston
Tom Liston, Restorations, Inc.
Christopher Littlewood
Scott and Tyra MacGuffie
Jan Main
Mike Malko
Penny Mandell
Tifnay and Billy Mann
Kitrina Marcroft
Kerry Marumoto
Chris Mazzola and Buck Drew,
DMD Partnership
Ronnie McClung
John and Nancy McCollum
Jim and Willa McLaughlin
Lila McLeod
Diane and Jack McNary
Judy Mills
Chip and Beau Mills
Bill and Lisa Mirams
Werner and Laura Morawitz
Jody Moss
Lori Nurge
Michael and Esther Ochsman
David Olson
Mary Tess O'Sullivan
Wendy Pabich
Randi Pallan
Linda Parsons
Betsy Pearson
John Peck
Deeder and Teresa Petersen
Sue Petersen
John Plummer
Dick and Connie Porter
Ben Price
David Pym
Susan Rahmann
Gay Riley
Peter and Frances Ripsom
Rob Santa
Steven and Janet Shafran,
Shafran Family Foundation
Bill Shubin
Sarah Shulsen
Becky Smith
Richard and Judith Smooke
Susan Spelius
Lyn Stallard
Gene and Sharon Steiner
Peter Stommel
Trent and Louise Stumph
Trent Stumph, Sawtooth
Environment
Jon and Kathliene Sundt
Tricia Swartling
Sandor and Teri Szombathy
Jane Timberlake
Terry Tischer
Tom and Charlotte Unger
Karen Vance
Ashley VanMeter
Taylor Walker
Margaret Walker
Jane Watkins
Pete Whitehead & Laurie
Sammis
Gene and Judy Whitmyre
Eldon and Carolyn Wicklund
Orrin Wightman, III
Jannette Williams
David Wilson
Nancy Winton
Mike Wolter and Molly
Goodyear
Linda Zweig
Non-Cash Donations
Albertson’s Market
Anne Reed Gallery
Atkinsons' Market
Barry Peterson Jewelers
Blue Heron Workshop
Cristina's Restaurant
East Avenue Bistro
Intermountain Trading
Ketchum Grill
Rico's Pizza and Pasta
Silver Creek
Sun Valley Brewing Company
Sun Valley Wine Company
Sushi on Second
The Red Elephant
Towne and Parke Jewelry
Wood River Jewish Community
ZOU 75
Corinne Beraud
Helen Bonner
Brooke Bonner
Chris Bracher
Christopher Brown
Joseph Castle
Rae DeVito
Bob Dix
Karen Fazio Taylor
Feli Funke-Riehle
Patty Gilman
Nick and Elizabeth Gilman
Melissa Grathwohl
Melissa Graves Brown
Lars Guy, CAD Drafting
Systems, Inc.
Scott Harder, Scott's Frame
E.J. Harpham
Jeremy Hickey
Judy Hill
Lisa Holley
Kathleen Hughes, Sun Valley
Lighting
Tom Iselin
Elissa Kline
Kristie Kohl
Thia Konig
Lucy Long
Tom Mangelsen, Images of
Nature Gallery
Tisa McCombs
Kendall Nelson
Ginna Parsons Lagergren
Betsy Pearson
Sean Petersen
Paulette Phlipot, Paulette
Phlipot Photography
Susan Rahmann
Ann Scales, Chocolate Gulch
Catering
Deanna Schrell
Jennifer Schwartz, daVinci's
Jennifer Self
Gail Severn, Gail Severn
Gallery
Kirsten Shultz
Steve Thies
Lynn Toneri, Lynn Toneri/RC
Hink Gallery
Peter Woytuk
We apologize if you were accidentally left
off of this list. Please call (208) 481-0434 so
we can correct our records. Thank you!
Oliver building food boxes
Tom organizing cans in our food bank located in the basement of
Bank of America in Ketchum.
“Thank you Blaine County Hunger Coalition for helping Head Start Families. During home visits I become aware of the needs of families that their
incomes do not cover. Through your voucher program, we have been able to help families with emergency food supplies and with personal care
items not covered by food stamps such as diapers, soap, and toothpaste. And your food boxes enables Head Start children and their siblings to
have more regular, nutritious meals.
– Betty Brooks, M.S., L.P.C., Family Home Advocate
The Hunger Coalition
P.O. Box 2599
Sun Valley, ID 83353