New ‘food box’ in Bingham County to serve those in need

BLACKFOOT — A box that functions as a pantry with nonperishable food is now open in Bingham County for the community to use. 

The “food box” is outside the Bingham Crisis Center, a nonprofit organization on 288 North Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. It officially opened on Oct. 7. The box is 3 feet high, 3 feet across and has shelves inside. 

It is painted purple to signify the color for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Executive Director Scott Smith said they have a small food pantry inside for people to use but he said the building is not always open. He wanted to create one that was easily accessible at any hour of the day. 

“We know that we are not always here, and we still wanted to be a resource for the community, and that’s where this food box came in: to make sure we can have food no matter what time of day, night or weekend,” Smith said. 

Smith told EastIdahoNews.com the crisis center will additionally put warm weather gear in the box, like gloves, socks and hats. 

It’s free for the community to use, and it has been going well so far. 

“We do try to check it at least a couple of times a week, and usually every time we go out, there’s items missing from the previous time. We just try to keep it stocked up with the food that we have donated as best as we can,” he said. 

It didn’t cost the Bingham Crisis Center; rather, people and businesses helped contribute to making the box a reality, such as Mountain West Electric, Grove City Lodge #33, the city of Blackfoot, Bowers Collision and Collier Metal Works. 

“It’s definitely being used, and we are excited to see that,” Smith said. 

Many people have asked if they can donate to it, which is encouraged. 

“Please feel free to do so. If we are here, come on up. We will gladly take the donated food items,” Smith said. 

If they are not in the building, Smith said it is OK to leave the nonperishable food items inside the food box. 

The Bingham Crisis Center is a domestic violence and sexual assault agency. The nonprofit provides advocacy, counseling, and shelter at no charge. 

On Mondays, the organization is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s also open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It provides 24-hour crisis lines for help: English: (208) 681-8712 and Spanish: (208) 681-8715.