Boise’s nonprofit organizations carry a strong history of helping those in need. Those needs can vary from something as critical as a place to sleep and food to eat, to the desire to laugh at perfect comedic timing by a local actor.
Many nonprofits shut down or were severely hampered by the essential lockdown period for the coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. For some, this will mean a leaner year. For others, their legacies may come to a close.
But Boiseans have shown time and again their support for the community is boundless. Boise has multiple nonprofits across all sectors, but here’s a few you might consider supporting as the Treasure Valley takes its next step into an uncertain future.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho
139 Warm Springs Avenue
Phone 208.336-5478
rmhcidaho.org
Supporting sick children and their families is the continuing mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho (RMHC). It’s a mission that expanded with a new Family Room at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls in 2019 and a new House in Boise in 2020. With health at the forefront, RMHC had to shutter its Family Room and turn away new families from the House during the pandemic, but they didn’t stop helping. RMHC provided meals, coordinated hotel stays, and took care of the families at the House.
“We keep families together, and the reality of the world these days has made it a bit of a challenge,” Executive Director Mindy Plumlee said in a release.
You can provide help by donating gift cards to local restaurants, buying items from their Amazon wish list, or simply giving money that can be used for groceries, cleaning supplies and other essentials.
Impact Club
impactclubboise.com
Impact Club believes communities are stronger when we give together. To achieve this, members donate $100 per quarter and can nominate any local nonprofit. At a quarterly event, three selected nonprofits talk about their missions. Members vote, and a large check is written out to the winning nonprofit.
“One-hundred percent of donations go to the charity,” Impact Club Boise cofounder Amanda Turner said. “Impact Club was designed because most people can’t write a $100,000 check. This really levels the field for giving. The other thing we do that’s cool is we bring in professional videographers so the charities get a professionally produced spot of their talk. It brings awareness and gets the community in the know about what they’re doing.”
You can join the Club and its 200-plus members for their virtual event on June 3.
Life’s Kitchen
1025 S. Capitol Boulevard
Phone 208.331.0199
lifeskitchen.org
Life’s Kitchen offers a 16-week workforce development, food service, life skills and GED training program for those 16 to 20 years old who have significant barriers to employment. In addition to all the meals produced for the Life’s Kitchen Café, the new and experienced chefs produce more than 50,000 meals yearly for Interfaith Sanctuary Homeless Shelter and the City of Boise Pioneer Day Shelter. While students were sent home and the café’s dining room closed during the lockdown, staff started producing more than 2,000 meals weekly to help support Boise’s homeless population.
“This is a challenging time for nonprofits,” Executive Director Tammy Johnson said in a release. “Our donors continue to help Life’s Kitchen in ways we are so thankful for. More than ever, we still need…support in monetary or food donations to continue our work.”
Boise Little Theater
100 E. Fort Street
Phone 208.342.5104
boiselittletheater.org
Boise Little Theater (BLT) has been bringing musicals, comedies and dramas to Treasure Valley audiences for decades as one of the oldest, all-volunteer community theaters in the nation. Three performances from its 2019-2020 season had to be canceled due to the lockdown, but BLT is already looking ahead to its 73rd season. It’s slated to start with performances of the comedy-drama “The Book of Will” by Lauren Gunderson in September.
“Purchasing a FLEX pass online for the marvelous season we have planned is a great way to support BLT,” BLT Marketing Associate Jeanna Vickery said. “Some patrons even add a donation when they purchase their pass. Support us by showing up and spreading the word. We want to support our community as it grows, and we need the assistance of our beloved community to continue to bring great seasons of entertainment for the next generation of Idahoans.” Photo by, Steve Strickland, Strictly Photography
Boys and Girls Club of Ada County
Multiple Locations
adaclubs.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County hit the frontlines as coronavirus struck the Treasure Valley. Their services included opening up grab-and-go meal sites available to any child, not just Club members. Collaborating with the Boise School District, the Clubs also opened pop-up sites in addition to their five locations to provide emergency childcare relief for healthcare workers, first responders, and essential personnel for a nominal fee. In a release, the Club said it was “doing whatever it takes to make sure that now, more than ever, we are here for the kids who need us the most. Clubs will keep kids safe, enriched with academic activities and keep them nourished with healthy breakfast and lunches.” To keep their programs up and running, the Clubs can always use monetary donations.
NeighborWorks Boise
3380 W Americana Terrace, Ste 120
Phone 208.343.4065
nwboise.org
NeighborWorks Boise aims to be a leader in “creating innovative housing solutions for underserved populations through strategic partnerships that contribute to building stronger communities.” NeighborWorks supports Idahoans through a variety of programs and services. These include affordable rental housing, afterschool programs, homebuyer education classes and the popular Rake Up Boise and Paint the Town events that help low-income seniors and disabled residents.
“The commitment to our staff, our residents, our volunteers, and community members remains unchanged,” NeighborWorks said of the pandemic in a release. You can support the organization by donating money, which will be used for program support. As an example, $25 provides the leaf bags for one Rake Up Boise team to get one yard all cleaned up.
How can you help out local businesses?
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Buy a membership. For theaters, museums, parks, zoos, and performing arts venues, purchasing an annual membership or season ticket can help provide them with needed funds. Plus, you’ll have things to look forward to and do. Keep an eye on exhibition schedules and show dates.
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Buy local. Whether this means purchasing a gift card or swinging by your local restaurant for some takeout, supporting local shops and restaurants will be critical to keeping Boise going.
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Donate your goods. Depending on how you spent your lockdown, you might have perfectly clean closets and sorted donations ready to make someone else’s home, garage or wardrobe shine. Check with local donation centers for guidelines on what you can and cannot donate.
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Spread the word. If you’ve ever enjoyed a product, shop, or service, now’s the time to write up that review you’ve been procrastinating on. Let others know what you enjoyed to boost the signal for small businesses and individual service providers.
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Fulfill a wish list. Many nonprofits keep a rolling list of needed donations. Check out this list and see what you can help with. Start with local shops to help make a difference for even more people!