While the community of Sun Valley is known for its wealth and panache, the Wood River Valley actually is composed of residents of all income levels. This diversity has given rise to a number of local service organizations whose common purpose is to provide comfort to our population as a whole. We’ll address one area specifically – food that is available to seniors and others at little or no cost.
The seniors in our community have several options to obtain nutritious food, both as groceries and as prepared meals. Some seniors find themselves in a situation in which they’re food insecure. This means that they sometimes don’t know where they’ll get their next meal.
The Hunger Coalition strives to end hunger in our community by providing wholesome groceries at no charge to those in need. They have food available for your pets, too!
The Hunger Coalition is located at 121 Honeysuckle St. in Bellevue and the mobile food bank there is open Monday and Thursday afternoons. They also operate a mobile food bank in Ketchum on Thursday afternoons at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood at 100 Saddle Road. Call them at (208) 788-0121 or visit www.thehungercoalition.org for full descriptions of their services.
The Senior Connection provides van service to The Hunger Coalition on request. Please call Katie at (208) 788-3468 to arrange transportation.
Our Valley is fortunate to have three free community dinners each week. The Souper Suppers take place each Monday and Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 313 S. 1st Ave., in Hailey. The Ketchum Community Dinners are held at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood on Wednesday nights from 6-7 p.m. The food is provided by various organizations such as St. Luke’s Wood River Volunteer Core Board, the Hailey LDS Church, the Comadres group in Hailey and Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Ketchum.
Volunteers prepare and serve well-balanced meals in an inviting setting. There is no charge for these full-service meals and everyone is welcome. For some, it’s a chance to save money; for others, it’s a chance to get out of the house and socialize – or both!
The Senior Connection provides delicious and nutritious meals Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meals are prepared by our chef Erik Olson, and are available to seniors for a suggested donation of $5, although any donation is greatly appreciated, no matter how small. These meals provide an excellent opportunity to dine with others, old friends and new.
In addition, The Senior Connection provides an invaluable service called Meals on Wheels for those who are homebound. A driver will come to your house most weekdays with a complete, nutritious lunch. Call Katie at The Senior Connection, (208) 788-3468, for specific information and to set up your home delivery service, or you may call our transportation office at (208) 721-1527.
Our executive director, Teresa Beahen Lipman, wants to be sure everyone knows that several state and federal programs are available to those who are chronically without food. Please call The Senior Connection at (208) 788-3468 for more information on these agencies.
