The Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s Youth Philanthropy Program, in partnership with two Dual Enrollment Government classes at Teton High School, announced this year’s Youth Philanthropy grant winners at an Awards Assembly at Teton High School. Now in its 12th season, this year’s awards mark a total of $58,000 in granting and 460 students engaged via this multifaceted program. Youth Philanthropy provides an excellent opportunity to introduce the concept of philanthropy to the next generation while helping students better understand the significant and impactful roles that nonprofits play in their own community. According to one Senior, “It gave us a hands-on experience of how philanthropy works. It’s a great project that engages students and provokes critical thinking.” Another student commented how much they enjoyed the “freedom [they] were awarded” during the decision-making process. This program allows young adults “a chance to feel what it’s like being a part of and helping the community.” The Youth Philanthropy Program is made possible through the generosity of Tin Cup Challengers and other private donors who partner with the Community Foundation of Teton Valley to elevate lives through the power of generosity. Challenger Richard Grundler charitably augmented students’ traditional granting capacity with an additional gift, giving them a total of $7,000 in awards to distribute during the grant cycle. Participating students were rewarded for their efforts with a pizza party sponsored by RAD Curbside following the school assembly. This year’s seniors worked through 17 grant applications with a total funding ask of $14,809. After thorough discussion over three class periods, they awarded five projects full funding and four projects partial grant awards with the available funds. 2022 Youth Philanthropy Grant Awards

November 10, 2021 Dear , Thank you for your compassion in supporting your neighbors who need to use the Food Pantry. The holiday season is a time to visit with friends and family to share the love you have for one another. You are able to sit around the dinner table with family members and enjoy a meal. But every year on Thanksgiving, part of our Teton Valley community does not have the ability to share food with their family members. The Teton Valley Food Pantry is committed to helping members of our community share a Thanksgiving meal with those they love. You can help a neighbor in need to put a meal on the table this Thanksgiving and Holiday season. Your donation will allow us to feed the children, adults and seniors who come to the Food Pantry every week and want to share a meal with their families over the holidays. Teton Valley Food Pantry is largely a volunteer-driven organization. That means your donation has a tremendous impact on feeding people in their time of greatest need. The Food Pantry has more visitors during the Holiday season than any other time of year. We ask you to please consider a Thanksgiving or Holiday donation to support your neighbors in need this season. You may donate by mail or through our website www.tvfoodpantry.com. Thank you for your consideration, Sue Heffron - Director of Operations Anne Fortier - Board President Mike Neumann - Vice President Barbara Larkin - Treasurer Sandra Woolstenhulme - Secretary Paul Kelly Ryan Kunz Bob Copyak Gabby Hermosillo Richard Muzzy Linda Edson Joe Mena PO Box 518 Driggs ID 83422 www.tvfoodpantry.com 208-399-2020 foodbank@silverstar.com

The Teton Valley Food Pantry ▪ The mission of the Teton Valley Food Pantry (TVFP) is to provide a food pantry, including the solicitation of food and / or financial donations, for the purpose of distributing food to low-income and unemployed households, including to relieve situations of emergency distress. More simply, the Teton Valley Food Pantry helps those in need obtain food and gain financial security. ▪ The Teton Valley Food Pantry was started in November 2008 as a partnership between St. Francis of the Tetons Episcopal Church and the Rotary Club of Teton Valley. The TVFP obtained 501(c)3 status in 2012. The food pantry relocated in October 2018 to the recently developed Teton Business and Education Center located on Highway 33 just north of Driggs. The Food Pantry employs two part-time staff members who work with volunteers and partners to ensure that there is a healthy variety of food available and that everyone in need isserved. The TVFP serves the communities of Alta, Wyoming, in addition to Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, and Felt, Idaho. ▪ The TVFP hasthree weekly scheduled food distributions; we also provide emergency, walk-in or distributions by appointment. We operate a choice pantry, meaning our clients choose the food items they want, need and will use. Since COVID we have adopted a “personal shopper” model where staff and volunteers work with our clientsto gather the itemsspecified on theirshopping lists. We take pride in ensuring that everyone is offered fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs and other items based on preferences, dietary and cultural needs. ▪ The following table shows the number of household and individual distributions our pantry provided during the past three years. In 2019 the TVFP board implemented changesto improve the quality and types of food we provide by consistently offering fresh, perishable food choices to our clients. Over the past 2 years we have seen significant increases in the numbers served; we also saw changes in the faces of our clients. Fresh foods provide more than just a basic need, they also provide personal options, healthy, nutritious choices and help show compassion to a household or individual needing assistance. Additionally in 2019 we started expanding the number of food distributions from two per month to the current schedule of three distributions per week. ▪ We are lucky to have a significant and dedicated workforce of ~ 90 volunteers who donate over 200 hours of their time and labor each month to the pantry. With the increased number of clients we also work diligently to increase efficiencies and collaborate with members of our community such as Food Rescue, community businesses and agriculture organizations, University of Idaho Agricultural Extension Service, Community Resource Center of Teton Valley, Hispanic Resource Center, Seniors West of the Tetons, Teton County Schools, Faith and Community Based Service Groups, Community Foundation of Teton Valley, Teton County, Idaho (Government) and the Idaho Diaper Bank. All of these groups (and many others) are actively involved in the provision of services to individuals and households in need and who help support the non-profit organizations in Teton Valley. We work collaboratively to assist our community members in need of fiscal assistance, health related care, housing, food and other needs. ▪ As a volunteer-based non-profit organization, the Teton Valley Food Pantry (TVFP) is reliant on the donation of time, funding & resources from individuals & organizations of local, state and federal origin. The TVFP provides assistance throughout Teton County, Idaho and western Wyoming and is committed to supporting individuals, families & communities within and across state & local boundaries. The Teton Valley Food Pantry receives support from the Idaho Food Bank through federally funded programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The TVFP serves as the central point of contact for food assistance in Teton Valley and works closely with other organizations providing food assistance to families and individuals in need. ▪ Socio-economic and population changes in the valley, changes in state, local and national government, the economy, employment, climate, environmental changes and natural disasters can significantly impact our community and the needs of people in Teton Valley. Our community, like most, is still seriously impacted by the COVID pandemic; we continue to balance and manage an economy that could plummet if the virus re-surges. Our community must juggle booming tourism, environmental concerns, seasonal employment, and a housing market that is displacing many local residents. The high cost of building and real estate impacts not only local residents but also businesses and especially non-profits. The TVFP is currently faced with relocating our pantry for the 2nd time in less than three years. The availability of affordable commercial space that can adequately meet the needs of the pantry poses a significant challenge. Like our clients we are faced with escalating facility and operational costs in addition to the cost of food; and since the COVID pandemic the majority of our food is purchased primarily through the generosity and donations of our community. ▪ While the majority of the residents served in Teton Valley live in Idaho, we also serve Wyoming residents living west of the Tetons where significant percentages of the residents (from Wyoming and Idaho) live below the poverty line or below the “ALICE” ** threshold. Most notably are those working in low paying seasonal positions such as the ski resorts, local businesses, plus our Hispanic Community, and younger households (less that 60 years in age). Low wages and high housing costs place many Teton Valley workers in need of supplemental services for basic needs such as food, housing, transportation, family and health care. Additionally, an estimated 4000+ individuals residing in Teton Valley commute daily to the Jackson area for employment – while still struggling to meet their basic needs. In Teton County Wyoming and Idaho, 29% and 36% of households (respectively) and an estimated 55% of our Hispanic community fall below the ALICE income level and are considered ‘working poor”. ▪ In a recent grant application, we were asked who we serve and why…. -We serve anyone who comes to us in need of food - without discrimination and without judgement. - We help others because we care deeply, because it is the right thing to do, and because it matters. As individuals we can each make a difference; but together we can do so, so much more. ** Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE). The ALICE Threshold is a realistic standard developed from the Household Survival Budget, a measure that estimates the minimal cost of the five basic. household necessities – housing, child care,food, transportation, and health care.

Dear , Thank you for allowing us at the Teton Valley Food Pantry to take a moment of your time to discuss our growing organization and our ever-growing need to effectively serve the less fortunate individuals and families of Teton Valley. With the forthcoming year end and the great demand on all families during the Holiday Season, the Teton Valley Food Pantry finds itself with a tremendous void to fill for those in our community feeling this pressure to feed themselves and their families through what can be a stressful time. Teton Valley Food Pantry strives to make a positive difference in the lives of many this time of year, but we cannot do so without the continued support of our donors. Coupled with this ongoing obligation, in 2019 we have also seen the growth in the number of recipients who are utilizing our services and the number of weekly distribution days. This growth is only increased during the Holiday Season and cold winter months. Also in 2019, we have expanded our organization internally to better serve those in our community. Which has added additional need internally to implement and execute directives that will steer us into the future. To help us address this great year end commitment, and to keep our largely volunteer effort running smoothly. We ask that you please consider a year end donation to our organization and help us continue our mission with success and efficiency. Providing nutrition to those of us in our community who need it most, and to do so seamlessly without interuption. Your donation is essential to assist us in fulfilling our goal of feeding those of us amongst us right here in Teton Valley that will have difficulty feeding themselves and their families this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year. Here’s how to donate. Go to: https://www.tvfoodpantry.com/ and click on the donate button. Or send your donation to: Teton Valley Food Pantry PO Box 518 Driggs, ID 83422 Thank you for your support. Teton Valley Food Panty Board of Directors, foodbank@silverstar.com www.tetonvalleyfoodbank.com