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ISU, Idaho Food Bank to host Eastern Idaho Hunger Summit Oct. 19
Courtesy of University Relations
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News
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As Laura Vailas, Ph.D., travels through Idaho speaking on hunger in the state, she has noticed that many lack knowledge of this fundamental problem.
"When I go out and speak to people about hunger in southeast Idaho, they are usually shocked to hear how much hunger exists in their own backyard," said Vailas. "Nearly 15 percent of Idaho's population is food insecure, and 3.7 percent actually experience hunger. We simply must do something about this."
To promote hunger awareness, the Idaho State University Department of Health and Nutrition and the Idaho Food Bank will cosponsor the Eastern Idaho Hunger Summit in the Pond Student Union Building Friday, Oct. 19. The summit will address hunger issues specifically in Eastern Idaho and strategize goals and plans for reducing the problem.
Students and the public are invited to attend. Those attending are asked to preregister with the Idaho Food Bank by calling (208) 233-8811. The cost is $10 for students and $15 for the public. The cost includes breakfast and lunch for attendees.
The Gem State was named the eighth hungriest state in the nation, according to a 2005 survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The same survey shows 14.6 percent of Idahoans are food insecure, or unsure of obtaining food because of low income or lack of resources, compared to the national average of 11.4 percent.
Roy Lacey, administrator of branch facilities for the Idaho Food Bank in Pocatello, said the goals of the summit are twofold: to inform eastern Idaho on the seriousness of hunger in the area, and to plan what the area can do to resolve the problem. Lacey hopes participants will leave with a "fire in their hearts," encouraging them to take action in their communities.
The summit will feature a panel discussion on hunger with representatives from various agencies in eastern Idaho including Eastern Idaho Community Action Program, ISU Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Northern Bingham Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Idaho and Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency.
"When I go out and speak to people about hunger in southeast Idaho, they are usually shocked to hear how much hunger exists in their own backyard," said Vailas. "Nearly 15 percent of Idaho's population is food insecure, and 3.7 percent actually experience hunger. We simply must do something about this."
To promote hunger awareness, the Idaho State University Department of Health and Nutrition and the Idaho Food Bank will cosponsor the Eastern Idaho Hunger Summit in the Pond Student Union Building Friday, Oct. 19. The summit will address hunger issues specifically in Eastern Idaho and strategize goals and plans for reducing the problem.
Students and the public are invited to attend. Those attending are asked to preregister with the Idaho Food Bank by calling (208) 233-8811. The cost is $10 for students and $15 for the public. The cost includes breakfast and lunch for attendees.
The Gem State was named the eighth hungriest state in the nation, according to a 2005 survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The same survey shows 14.6 percent of Idahoans are food insecure, or unsure of obtaining food because of low income or lack of resources, compared to the national average of 11.4 percent.
Roy Lacey, administrator of branch facilities for the Idaho Food Bank in Pocatello, said the goals of the summit are twofold: to inform eastern Idaho on the seriousness of hunger in the area, and to plan what the area can do to resolve the problem. Lacey hopes participants will leave with a "fire in their hearts," encouraging them to take action in their communities.
The summit will feature a panel discussion on hunger with representatives from various agencies in eastern Idaho including Eastern Idaho Community Action Program, ISU Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Northern Bingham Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Idaho and Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency.
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