SUPPORTING SOUTHEASTERN IDAHOAcross the country, individuals are banding together to do whatever they can to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. From people sewing and donating face masks to food banks providing millions of meals to those suddenly without income — the resolve of the American people is truly inspiring.
In this spirit, Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages Idaho National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, has launched the INL Cares initiative.
INL has long enjoyed tremendous support throughout eastern Idaho, something often referenced by policymakers in Boise and Washington, D.C., and which has played an important role in the success of the Laboratory.
We are grateful for this opportunity to give back, and support those in our communities struggling through no fault of their own.
BATTLING FOOD INSECURITYBattelle Energy Alliance, operator of Idaho National Laboratory, is donating $60,000 to food banks in southeastern Idaho.
The Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, serving Idaho Falls and the Upper Snake River Valley, received $40,000; while the Idaho Food Bank, located in Pocatello, received $20,000 for programs in Blackfoot, Fort Hall and Bannock County.
“It can take six to eight months for struggling families to recover from a financial crisis,” said Ariel Jackson, director of the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket. “This health crisis has pointed out to Community Food Basket just how close to the edge many families in our area – who appear to be ‘making it’ – really are.”
This donation will help provide grab-and-go meals for students, meal boxes for families and ingredients for the Meals on Wheels program.
“We know many of our friends and neighbors are struggling, but we also see incredible organizations and individuals working every day to provide food and shelter to those in need and to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said INL Director and BEA President Mark Peters. “We are honored to support these organizations and individuals in our community and find inspiration in their example.”
Additional announcements for the INL Cares initiative will be shared in the coming weeks.
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSESINL is offering financial grants to support eastern Idaho businesses through funding from Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages Idaho National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. The grants will assist Idaho small businesses as they recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. INL leadership recognizes that many businesses have curtailed or reduced operations and the size of their workforce. They made changes to their processes so they can reopen or stay open while protecting their customers and workforce.
CRUSHING THE CURVECrushTheCurveIdaho is teaming up with Battelle Energy Alliance, operator of Idaho National Laboratory, in a joint effort to promote education and family discussion around the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Our hope is that through this essay competition, students will proactively educate themselves about COVID-19 so when they begin to adjust to their new normal at school, they will feel empowered with understanding why these changes are needed and necessary.
DETAILS:
CrushTheCurveIdaho is a coordinated effort by Idaho businesses, innovators and leaders to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our mission is to get Idaho back to work through a statewide awareness campaign and by offering testing for COVID-19 active virus and antibodies. CrushTheCurveIdaho.com will deliver information and testing to crush and then keep the curve flat in Idaho.
Questions? Contact Misty Benjamin at (208)-351-5940.
