Jordan Ferris

Shelley McGuire, professor and director of the
Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Idaho, said the pandemic created “a perfect storm” for obesity rates to spike among the most at-risk children, particularly those in families with limited access to high-quality food. From 2003-2014, JLB executed a community program called Kids in the Kitchen, providing nutrition education to low-income families and at-risk youth to help them live healthier lifestyles. In the years to
come, we hope to re-establish this program. Please consider donating to the Little Black Dress Initiative to help JLB expand our programming and make a larger impact in the community.

Food insecurity has been linked to poor diets, due in part to the limited access to resources and options for individuals but also due to a lack of knowledge about the importance of a healthy diet. JLB’s signature Project 100 partner this year is Boise Urban Garden School. JLB donated $10,000 to BUGS for a kitchen remodel so they could continue to provide nutrition education, culinary classes, and more to children and
adults in the Treasure Valley. Visit my fundraising page to learn more about JLB and donate to the Little Black Dress Initiative so we can continue to support community partners like BUGS and make an impact in the community.

Why am I wearing the same dress every day this week? People who are food insecure are often left having to choose between food and other necessities. Wearing the same black dress all week is meant to illustrate their lack of resources, options, and opportunities. In Idaho, the weekly average dollar amount that food insecure individuals report spending on food is $3.79. It’s simply not enough. The Idaho Food Bank and The Boise Farmers Market are just a few of the community partners JLB provides volunteers, resources, and support to, as we share in their commitment to providing more accessible, affordable, and nutritious, locally grown food for those in need. In honor of Giving Tuesday, please visit my fundraising page and consider donating to JLB and our Little Black Dress Initiative.

Is my dress looking familiar yet? Children experiencing hunger or food insecurity are more at risk for various health conditions, including malnutrition. JLB has been helping impact health and nutrition for over 95 years. Our original signature project in 1929 was a children’s nutrition camp in
Robie Creek, providing a nutritious, balanced diet to help children experiencing hunger to refuel, gain weight, and improve their health. Today, we continue to support programs and community partners aimed at nutrition education and accessibility. Please visit my fundraising page to learn more about JLB and consider donating to help us expand our programming and continue making a meaningful impact in the community.

Why the black dress? The dress, along with this button, are
meant to be an eye catching conversation starter among friends, family, coworkers and community, to bring awareness to Junior League of Boise and our new community impact issue – Hunger and Food Insecurity in the Treasure Valley.
Those who are food insecure often have to choose between food and other basic needs. So wearing the same black dress for 5 days is also meant to illustrate the limited access to resources, options and opportunities these people face every day.