Thanks to a partnership between the Idaho
Foodbank and the Idaho Center for Professional Truck Driving, a
division of the Selland College at Boise State University, the
efforts to feed Idaho’s hungry have been expanded this year.
Many times during the past few years, the Foodbank has had large
donations available but no way to transport the much-needed food
to Boise. The Foodbank and the truck driving program joined
forces earlier this year.
“When the Foodbank contacted us, we could not wait to help,”
said Ralph Dean, manager of the truck driving program. We search
for these kinds of real world training opportunities.”
Student drivers will come away with life lessons in humility and
gratitude while perfecting their professional truck driving,
delivery, docking and customer service skills, Dean said.
Linda Reiman, director of Food and Agency Resources at the
Foodbank, said the help from Boise State has boosted
distribution efforts and saved the Foodbank thousands of dollars
in rental costs and staff time.
“This donation is also an opportunity to share the needs of many
Idahoans with future drivers who can help redirect food to the
Foodbank,” she said.
In the past year, students traveled as far as Orofino to pick up
steelhead and into the Magic Valley for potato donations.
Students will continue to haul food throughout the summer
months.
Selland College dean Larry Barnhardt said the college’s vision
is to make a positive and significant difference in the lives of
those it serves.
“This alliance has helped our students understand the vital role
professional drivers have in sustaining our most basic needs,”
he said. “Almost all of the nation's food supply is transported
by truck. Driving is no longer just a career goal for them — it
is a chance to help others have a better quality of life.”
For more information about the Selland College truck driving
program, call 426-4783.
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Contact
Kellie Branson
Boise State Selland College of Applied Technology
426-1115
kbranson@boisestate.edu
Media Contact
Sherry Squires
Boise State communications and marketing
426-1563
ssquires@boisestate.edu
