College of Western Idaho opens food banks for students

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — The College of Western Idaho is paying it forward by celebrating the grand opening of five food banks.

It's not just food the banks will offer, there's clothes, diapers and hygiene products, like toothpaste and deodorant.

The banks are spread throughout CWI's Ada and Canyon County campuses.

CWI's dean, Jenn Crowder, says this is a way of showing the students that they're not only supported academically but in any way they need it.

"We can have a positive impact and help not only get students through our doors and back out into the work force, but we can pay it forward. it really does take a village to lift people up and be thriving," said Crowder.

The food pantry is open whenever the school is.

No one is staffing it and all the pantries are hidden so students feel comfortable. There's really no limit on how much students can take it's just however much they need.

Kayla Danielson, a student, says having this available helps her not only be a better student, but also a better mom.

"If the school's pantry wasn't here to stop by and just pick up a simple thing like a bag of ramen noodles, that allows me to go home and know it's not the end of the world and my child is just happy to be at home with mom who's not stressing out about worrying about how she's going to feed her child," Danielson said.

Right now the pantry is only for students, but they are hoping to become a registered food bank in the next couple months which would mean anyone in the community could use the pantry.

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