BY CANDICE STARK

The Shoshone Project is collecting warm clothing and food donations for its Fifth Annual Warm Clothing and Food Drive to be held Dec. 15 in Shoshone. This year, the drive will serve 150 families, benefiting around 600 adults and children.

The Shoshone Project hopes to gift families with winter clothing, groceries, home-baked cookies, grocery gift cards, and gifts for children, plus a visit with Santa.

The collection is just one of a few ways in which Blaine County residents and organizations are partnering

It all started with the food drive, which continues to be as important this year as it was at the start.

"As we work to support 150 families this December, donations are vital to providing food and warmth this holiday season,” said Ryan Gates, a Shoshone Project board member. “Every contribution, whether for groceries or gift cards, helps bring comfort to those in need."

To support the Warm Clothing and Food Drive or contribute to other Shoshone Project initiatives, visit The Shoshone Project’s donation page at https://www.shoshoneproject.com/. A $150 donation will provide groceries and a gift card for a family of four.

Skiers and boarders contributed ski jackets to The Shoshone Project at Sun Valley Resort’s recent Pray for Snow party.

Clothing is also being collected at:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hailey

Wood River Jewish Center in Elkhorn

Re/Max Sun Valley

Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church in Ketchum

Sun Valley Community School

Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum and Hailey

St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum

Gather Yoga in Ketchum

Silver Creek Outfitters (Nov 22 - 30)

“We were pleased to be a part of the Shoshone Project Clothing and Food Drive in 2023,” said Joanne Wetherell, of RE/MAX Sun Valley. “All of us at RE/MAX are excited to continue volunteering this year by raising funds and collecting donations to assist Shoshone Project, a very worthy cause.”

Donations for food are still needed as The Project has only a third of what it needs to ensure it has enough for the food drive, said Stark.

“The community has been incredible making clothing donations—we have received a tremendous amount of warm clothing, but we need more donations for the food drive,” she said.

The Shoshone Project is becoming a key force in fostering collaboration between Blaine and Lincoln counties. It’s raising awareness of the interconnectedness between the residents of the two counties, as many of those who live in Lincoln County work in Blaine County. It’s also expanding resources for those in Lincoln County.

In May of this year, the Shoshone Project hosted a Roundtable Discussion with key community leaders from Lincoln County to discuss local needs, challenges, and opportunities. This conversation not only helped inform the Shoshone Project’s ongoing efforts but also highlighted areas where collaboration could have a significant impact.

DeAnn Campbell, Children’s and Young Adult Library director for Ketchum’s Community Library, attended the Roundtable and toured several Lincoln County nonprofits over the summer. As a result, the library donated three used computers to the Hope for the Hungry Community Food Pantry, which will help create a much-needed resource center for local residents. 

The Community Library is also expanding its bookmobile services to Lincoln County

"We want every child in Idaho to be able to read! As we expand The Community Library’s bookmobile to a year-round service, we look forward to traveling to Lincoln County to get more books into the hands of more children,” said Jenny Emery Davidson, the executive director of The Community Library. “We celebrate the work of the Shoshone Project and the Lincoln County Youth Center, and we are eager to collaborate with them to support learning and literacy."

In a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of the two counties, several Blaine County organizations have expanded their eligibility for services to include Lincoln County residents who work in Blaine.

The Blaine County Charitable Foundation now provides support to anyone working in Blaine County, regardless of their residency, ensuring that Lincoln County workers have access to essential services. Similarly, the Hunger Coalition has expanded its services to support Lincoln County residents who live in Lincoln but work in Blaine.

"We’re seeing a shift in the Wood River Valley, where more individuals and organizations are recognizing that many people who work in Blaine County live in Lincoln County, said Stark. “There’s a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of our two counties, leading to more support and funding opportunities that help bridge the gap between these communities."

In 2023 and 2024, the Shoshone Project awarded more than $35,000 in grants to several local organizations in Lincoln County, helping to improve infrastructure, support essential services, and foster community development. It awarded money to the Lincoln County Youth Center for afterschool youth programs and to Hope for the Hungry Community Food Pantry -for an industrial walk-in freezer and electrical panel upgrade to improve food storage and distribution.

Other recipients included the Shoshone Public Library, Lincoln County Recreation Center, Shoshone School District's free lunch program, Lincoln County Pool, and First Responders of Lincoln County.