A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dearest HFR Community, a daily struggle yet many community members are faced with this burden. In addition to the hardship of increased food costs, TCSD#1 had to retract the federal free meals program it was offering to all students since 2020. There are over 700 families that apply for this free and reduced lunch program in Teton County but only about 400 families qualify.

What a remarkable year we had here at Hole Food Rescue! I am grateful to be able to lead this meaningful organization; to my five amazing colleagues who keep this ship afloat, our hardworking board, our strong and reliable volunteers, and our generous donors, thank you for making my first year in this role so enjoyable.

Through our nine FFC programs, we dispersed 159,435 pounds of food valued at $426,638. The numbers show us that there is an acute need for these precious resources throughout Jackson. Thank you to everyone who has helped us grow and blossom into the strong organization we are today. 2023 is going to be a big year and I can’t wait for what’s to come! Stay close.

Like years past, 2022 brought about its own set of challenges. The significant spike in inflation impacted our neighbors, working residents, and families that use HFR programs. The USDA reported that the food-at-home Consumer Price Index (grocery store food purchases), increased 11.8 percent from December 2021 to December 2022. Purchasing food should not be

Hole Food Rescue encompasses individuals who want to make positive impacts in their community. In 2022, HFR volunteers rescued approximately 920 pounds of healthy food daily. Participants of the Food for the Community // Comida de la Comunidad (FFC) program took on influential roles to share this nutritious food in their communities, strengthen neighborly connections, and adapt the program to their needs.

Best,

Hannah Cooley Executive Director