Dump Hunger celebrated its fifth year with record-breaking results, as communities across the Intermountain West rallied with Western States, Albertsons and Wells Fargo to raise 769,462 pounds of food for local food banks. The total more than doubles the Dump Hunger goal of filling five dump trucks and provide much-needed resources to food banks across the Intermountain West at a time of year when donations are down.
"Our employees, customers, partners and friends in the community always rise to the challenge for Dump Hunger, but this is the most remarkable effort yet,” said Western States president Tom Harris. “Since we started five years ago, our food bank partners have continued to experience an increased need. We take tremendous pride in helping them provide much-needed resources in the communities where we live and work.”
The goal of the Dump Hunger campaign this year was to secure enough food to fill the bed of five CAT 730 dump trucks, which are individually capable of holding 75,000 pounds of food. While metrics vary by food bank, the Dump Hunger campaign estimates one dollar translates into five pounds of food.
The campaign relied on fundraising events in each region, ranging from poker and golf tournaments to on-air radio auctions. To date Dump Hunger has gathered more than 2.7 million pounds of food for the communities it serves.
The total of 769,462 pounds will be distributed to each community as follows:
IDAHO:
•Idaho Falls – 212,657 pounds benefiting Idaho Foodbank
•Lewiston – 27,008 pounds benefiting The Idaho Foodbank
•Boise/Meridian – 213,706 pounds benefiting The Idaho Foodbank
•Pocatello – 36,538 pounds benefiting The Idaho Foodbank
•Twin Falls – 42,416 pounds benefiting the Salvation Army
•Hayden – 18,988 pounds benefiting Community Action Partnership
MONTANA:
•Kalispell – 11,740 pounds benefiting Flathead Food Bank
•Missoula – 74,665 pounds benefiting Missoula Food Bank
OREGON:
•La Grande – 14,434 pounds benefiting Community Connection of Northeast Oregon
•Pendleton – 5,890 pounds benefiting CAPECO
WASHINGTON:
•Pasco– 39,194 pounds benefiting 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest
•Spokane – 57,925 pounds benefiting 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest
WYOMING:
•Jackson – 14,302 pounds benefiting Jackson Cupboard
The final total includes a gift card contribution of $10,000 from Albertsons and a $25,000 cash donation from Wells Fargo. Western States added a $10,000 dollar match, contributing $1 for every 5 pounds of food collected, while Caterpillar also donated $5,000. Basic American Foods continued its generosity and support of Dump Hunger by donating 71,000 pounds of food and another $9,600 in monetary contributions.
All donations went to participating food bank partners involved with Dump Hunger, many of which coordinate with additional community food bank partners in their network to share much needed resources.
Western States is headquartered in Meridian, Idaho.