STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Hope for the Hungry Community Food Pantry in Shoshone is scrambling to raise funds to cover the costs of repairs after an electrical panel and air conditioning malfunctioned.

The Food Pantry incurred a $3,000 bill for repairs.

The Food Pantry there serves between 400 and 500 people from Shoshone and surrounding communities every month, said Candice Stark, a Wood River Valley resident who is part of The Shoshone Project Team formed to address needs in the community.

Earlier this year The Shoshone Project encouraged Wood River Valley residents heading to Twin Falls to purchase extras while there and drop off food donations at the food pantry on the way home. Stark said that the director Sheryl Mason, who has been running the pantry since 1999, has had more than a handful of people stop by with all sorts of donations.

“Thanks for being such a blessing,” she added.

The most needed items are tuna, mac and cheese, soups, cereals, canned fruits, canned vegetables, pasta, rice and other shelf stable food items. Non-food items, such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, female hygiene items, laundry soap, dish soap and toilet paper, are also in high demand.

Donations may be left at the back door if the pantry is closed. Text Sheryl at 208-536-0040 to let her know they’ve been dropped off.

“It’s a tiny building but powerful work goes on there,” said Stark. “They distribute up to 160 food boxes and hygiene products each month. The majority of their clients are elderly, have extensive medical issues or are disabled; some are large families with many children.”

Donations may be sent to Hope for the Hungry Community Food Pantry, Attn: Sheryl Mason, 112 S. Apple St., Shoshone, ID 83352. Make Venmo donations to: @Sheryl-Parsons-4.

Hope for the Hungry is a 501C3 nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible.