Our Programs
Supplying the Basics
Soap. Shampoo. Toilet paper. Laundry detergent. Diapers. The everyday items nobody budgets for until they cannot afford them — and the ones no assistance program will pay for. In partnership with the ABC Food Bank and the City of Athol, we hand them out free of charge.
Provided at no cost. No income test.
148
men, women, and children served at each distribution event, on average
10
cities reached, across 3 north Idaho counties
$150,000+
in goods returned to the community in three years with Athol Dollar General
Weekly
deliveries to the ABC Food Bank, every week of the year
The Gap
The Things Assistance Will Not Cover
Food banks focus on food, and for good reason — it is what they are funded to do. But a household needs more than groceries to function, and the rest of the list falls through the cracks. Area food banks struggle to source these items at all.
SNAP, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will not pay for any of the following:
- Vitamins
- Medicines
- Supplements
- Hot foods at point of sale
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
- Household products
- Hygiene items
- Cosmetics
So a family covers them out of pocket, or goes without. Providing these basics free of charge frees up money that can go toward food, gas, rent, and medical bills instead.
Everything we distribute is provided at no cost. We serve area men, women, and children in need — you do not need to qualify for anything to come.
Distribution Event
Every Tuesday at the Resource Center from 10am to 2pm
Working alongside the ABC Food Bank and the City of Athol, we host a free distribution at our Resource Center, 6101 ID-54, Unit B in Athol, every Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Come as you are. There is no application, no income verification, and no cost. Families have traveled to us from ten cities across three north Idaho counties, and we average 148 people served at every event.
What we hand out:
- Personal care
- Feminine hygiene
- Cleaning products
- Paper goods
- Laundry supplies
- OTC medicine
- Baby care
- Pet food
Our Partners
The ABC Food Bank
30355 N Third Street, Athol — open Tuesdays, 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 3 PM.
We make deliveries to the food bank every week. That is possible because of our partnership with Athol Dollar General, along with generous individuals and small businesses across north Idaho. Product that would otherwise be discarded gets routed straight to families who need it.
In the first three years of that partnership alone, we have poured over $150,000 worth of goods back into our community. Beyond deliveries, we help the food bank host collection drives, plan events, and keep the shelves stocked.
We are grateful to Charlotte and her team of volunteers, who welcome our help and make the whole arrangement work.
In Our Schools
Hygiene Carts
We learned that a number of local teens are living in transitional situations — moving from place to place with few belongings, showing up to school without having been able to shower or properly care for themselves. We wanted to do something about it.
So we are working to supply middle and high schools across north Idaho with hygiene carts stocked with travel-size amenities. We replenish them as needed, and our contacts inside each school let us know when a student needs more than what the cart holds.
Do not throw out those hotel and travel-size products. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes — bring them to us instead. We will absolutely use them.
How You Can Help
Keep the Shelves Full
This program runs entirely on donated product and donated time. Here is what makes the biggest difference.
Donate Items
Buy from the needs list and drop it at any collection site. Travel-size amenities are always welcome for the hygiene carts.
Host a Collection Drive
We work with groups, businesses, and like-minded organizations to run drives at retailers throughout north Idaho.
Give Financially
Cash lets us buy exactly what is short that month, and buy it on sale.
What we are usually short on:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Body wash & soap
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Laundry soap
- Dish soap
- Diapers & wipes
- Feminine hygiene
- OTC medicine
- Pet food
Drop-off locations: Athol Community Center · Resource Center · Athol P1FCU · Farragut State Park Visitors Center See details →
Host a Drive
Run a Collection Drive With Us
We are eager to collaborate with groups, like-minded organizations, and small businesses to host collection drives at retailers throughout north Idaho.
If you need community service hours, or you have a community-centered project to complete, we will help you produce the event from start to finish. And if you already know the ins and outs of running one, we appreciate that too. Either way we work together to make sure your effort gets the recognition it deserves.
Get in touch
Tell us your group, your timeframe, and whether you have a host location in mind. We can help you find one.
We set you up
Collection bins, printed flyers, a current needs list, and graphics you can post.
Collect
Two to four weeks works best, and a themed drive collects better than a general one.
Hand it off
We arrange the pickup, sort everything, and get it onto the distribution tables.
Help Us Keep the Shelves Full
A single case of toilet paper or a box of travel-size shampoo goes further than you would think. So does an afternoon of your time.
Questions? Call us at (208) 561-5050