Idaho Foodbank announces IdahoKind campaign, $100,000 match challenge

The Idaho Foodbank has announced the launch of IdahoKind – the organization’s first fundraising and awareness campaign inspired by the generosity of Duane and Lori Stueckle. The campaign kicked off Monday, Jan. 18 during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and will run through Feb. 14.

The food bank witnesses acts of kindness each day as neighbors help lift neighbors up during challenging times, officials said in a press release announcing the campaign. Sharing acts of kindness, volunteering, sending thank you notes, and sharing heartwarming stories are encouraged. Additionally, the couple have presented a challenge match of $100,000 for donations made to the campaign. If the match is met, The Idaho Foodbank will be able to provide food for up to one million meals to Idahoans struggling with food insecurity.

The Idaho Foodbank encourages all Idahoans to consider contributing acts of kindness in their communities. Helping a neighbor, providing a shoulder for a friend to lean on, volunteering for a local organization, or making a financial donation to a favorite nonprofit. Anyone can share these stories and use #IdahoKind on social media channels to participate in this statewide kindness campaign.

“I am excited that this campaign gives us a chance to shine the light on all the people who have given their time, talents, and contributions and helped us to continue serving the growing number of Idahoans who are finding themselves in hard times,” says Karen Vauk, president and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. “IdahoKind is a challenge to all of us to reach out and help our neighbors and showcase what a beautiful thing it is to see people come together in a positive way,” said Vauk.

Jan. 18, an official day of service, marked the 26th year of celebrating the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The federal holiday encourages all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities. Studies show that volunteering and philanthropy can provide a healthy boost to self-confidence and life satisfaction.

“Lori and I are grateful to be able to support our neighbors during this historic time of challenges," Duane Stueckle said. "Now is the time to take action – to do whatever we can to help one another and organizations doing good work in our communities. We are confident that with your donations the match challenge will be met and we will be able to provide food for up to one million meals to Idahoans.” He adds, “As we welcome 2021, we are hopeful that a kindness campaign encourages Idahoans to be aware of how we can help one another and spread goodwill.”