JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Food insecurity is a problem across the nation, and in Idaho, more than 250,000 people were considered food insecure in the Gem State in 2023, according to the Idaho Foodbank.
“The need for food is going to continue to grow,” said Jeff Schroeder with Martha and Mary’s Food Pantry.
He said that they serve more than just their city but people from around the area.
“Kind of as a hub for some of the outlying rural communities like Hollister, Shoshone, Rupert, Gooding, Wendell, they all come here,” Schroeder said.
The pantry sees a steady flow of people in need of assistance, meaning the shelves need to be stalked continuously.
“150, 200 people a week, over 600 people a month,” he said.
As the pantry works to provide nutritious food, Schroeder says they have issues getting enough protein for meals.
“For the last two or three, it’s been constant, but for the last two or three months it’s been very severe that we haven’t had good meat protein.” he explained.
Fortunately, they received some help from a local company, Riverence, a trout company in Buhl, which delivered two thousand pounds of trout to the pantry to help the community get that vital nutrient.
“People are struggling right now, especially with foods,” said Sabrina Becker, the administrative assistant to the CEO at Riverance. “Jeff and other pantries have told me that protein is hard to find right now and people are hurting. We happen to have that and we’re blessed to be able to provide that to the community.”
If you need food assistance, Martha and Mary’s Food Pantry is open every Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and every Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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