Bridge The Snap GAP
Quietly delivering help where it’s needed most — to Idaho children
When families suddenly lose or shrink their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, it creates an urgent gap in food security, especially for children. In the face of this, we’re launching a community-food-drive effort to make sure kids in our local schools have the groceries and pantry supplies they need.
The need right now
SNAP is a lifeline: it helps low-income households buy groceries and supports the health, learning and well-being of children. But right now, funding for SNAP is under threat, for example, the federal government has warned that due to the shutdown, benefits may not be issued on schedule starting November 1.
In our state of Idaho, the extent of food insecurity among children is sobering: about 75,640 children (16.2 % of Idaho’s children) were estimated to be food insecure in 2023. The Idaho Foodbank+1 Even if the SNAP crisis is resolved, there are still more than 75,000 kids in Idaho who don’t reliably have enough to eat.
What we’re doing — and why it matters
We’ve teamed up with local school counselors (elementary through high school) to quietly distribute WinCo grocery gift cards (for groceries only) and restock school pantries with high-need shelf-stable items. The goal is to meet people where they are, without shame, and make sure kids get support right through the schools they attend.
Schools currently supported
Hawthorne Elementary
Garfield Elementary
Morley Nelson Elementary
William Howard Taft Elementary
Sawtooth Middle School
Owyhee High School
McMillian Elementary
Frontier Elementary
Pioneer School Of The Arts
Hunter Elementary
Frank Church Elementary
The way it works:
You donate through our Zeffy Campaign Click Here or drop off pantry items on the schedule.
We purchase and distribute the grocery gift cards or items.
Counselors at the participating schools hand off the cards/items directly to families in need — no fuss, no public fanfare, just help.
Schools we’re currently supporting: Hawthorne Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Morley Nelson Elementary, William Howard Taft Elementary, Sawtooth Middle School and Owyhee High School, McMillian Elementary, Frontier Elementary, Pioneer School Of The Arts, Hunter Elementary, Frank Church Elementary
How to donate
It’s simple:
Use our donation link (via Zeffy) and choose $25, $50, $75, or $100 increments (or any “Other” amount you prefer).
100% of your funds go to grocery gift cards, no overhead, no hidden costs.
If you prefer, you can also drop off approved pantry items Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 415 E Joshua Tree Dr., Meridian, ID 83646. The Dropoff will run from Nov 6th-Nov 25th. (Label items if you want them directed to a particular school).
Why your support makes a difference
When children don’t have enough to eat, it doesn’t just affect hunger, it affects learning, attendance and long-term outcomes. In Idaho, food-insecure kids are more likely to struggle in school. Your donation helps fill a gap that policies and budgets may miss, and lets us act locally and immediately.
Thank you for stepping in
Thank you for caring. When you give, you help bring dignity, stability and hope to children and families right here in our community. Together we’re not just running a drive — we’re honoring the value of every child, every family, every neighbor.
With gratitude,
Mel Nelson
Chris “Lucky” Stewart The Good Network – “Broadcasting What Matters”
