Why Silver Star Volunteers at Community Food Banks
Hunger is an eroding force that leaves people desperate. While a statistical minority suffers from food insecurity in the United States, it is present, at some level, in every state and community. It’s a complicated issue because in a country with so much excess, many wonder; How can you go hungry? For those who suffer, it can feel embarrassing even when hardships come from no fault of their own.
At Silver Star, we believe in taking the responsibility to Lift Where You Stand. Last Week, 19 volunteers from our Star Valley offices teamed up at the Afton Food Pantry to help organize and prep for their October Food Drive. An additional 11 volunteers from our Meridian office went to support The Idaho Foodbank in Boise as well.
“1 out of 5 people in Wyoming don’t know where their next meal will come from. Many may not see or believe it, but it’s true. We have a lot of elderly people and families with young children who are struggling,” said President of the Afton Food Pantry Sierra Mitchell.
More than 47 million Americans struggle with food insecurity according to the USDA. Data released in July shows a rising trend of food insecurity from 2023 that we haven’t seen in the United States since 2008. Hunger is not something that happens to other people in other countries; it is a reality in your community.
“Our most recent data shows that food insecurity affects 12.7% of Idahoans—16% of them children. The rates are even higher in rural areas, which makes sense because in rural areas people face added challenges like long distances to grocery stores and limited transportation.” Said Volunteer Coordinator for The Idaho Food Bank Allie Bouvrette.
Food insecurity in the United States can be a hard topic to fully understand. Despite the abundance of food in our country many factors can lead to food insecurity. Rural areas can be especially difficult. Even in the areas where most of our food is being produced, it can feel like nothing is available nearby for locals.
“35 of our 44 counties are rural, and that’s a lot of people. Thanks to the continued effort of volunteers… many families in hard-to-reach areas are getting the healthy food they need,” said Bouvrette.
Those who suffer from food insecurity may hide their needs and desperation out of embarrassment from poor social reactions. Economic difficulties are a cause that can be hard to prepare for and handle.
“We have seen 1 to 4 new people per week this year. It’s concerning because it shows that people are facing difficulties economically… Food insecurity is real. It is here in Lincoln County. For that reason, we are open to anyone. Whatever their situation. We want to help. We are all one tragedy away from food insecurity,” said Mitchell.
Those of us looking on from the outside may see food insecurity in members of the community we don’t expect and struggle to comprehend their situation.
“It makes me sad, but I receive comments from people saying that they won’t support us because they see others, whom they perceive as well-off, shopping with us. We want to break that stigma. We need to remember that we don’t know what others are going through. Our slogan is “No judgement here.” We all need help at different times for a multitude of reasons. Someone may struggle without you realizing. Life is inconsistent, so we strive to be a constant presence for those whose lives are going through hard changes,” said Mitchell.
When we lift others up, it is a core value at Silver Star to Lift with Respect and Lead with Kindness. This means that we strive to handle individuals with care and understanding. Each of our 30 amazing team members put in 4 hours of their working day to help fight hunger in their community with no judgment. We will continue to take time out of our workdays and support our communities through service opportunities like these.
“It was incredible to have Silver Star Come by. They tackled a lot of work. In the summer we typically fall short on volunteers. They came at the right time… We appreciate receiving the Caring for the Community grant earlier this year from Silver Star. Money and food donations are always great, but volunteers are what we need to open. We need 5 people working at a time to open our doors. Having even 1 person come by for an hour helps so much. We appreciate having Silver Star step up at such a crucial time with the approaching busy season. We can’t wait for them to come back,” said Mitchell.
If we are going to live up to our goals and make human connections, we must support the fight against hunger that rages right now. Ending hunger starts locally with each of us in our communities. In a world that is constantly online, we have made it our mission to encourage everyone to take time and make in-person connections with those around them. Volunteering at the food bank is a great place to start! We are working for a future where no one will be hungry in a community connected by Silver Star.