BOISE — Local CenturyLink employees donated a total of 3,821 pounds of food and cash in the amount of $6,472 to The Idaho Foodbank recently.

    According to a news release, members of the CenturyLink Foundation are contributing an additional $31,683, which will provide the equivalent of 117,649 meals for Idahoans.

    “We appreciate our friends and neighbors who joined with our employees in this worth while endeavor to improve the quality of life in our communities,” said Jim Schmit, CenturyLink’s vice president and general manager for Idaho. “Together, we are working to help address the hunger issue faced by millions of people across the country as well as those here at home.”

    According to the most recent hunger study by Feeding America, more than 267,000 Idahoans, including more than 96,000 children, are at risk of going hungry. That means one in six Idahoans do not have enough food to lead healthy, active lives.  

    “Gifts like this are critical to our mission of promoting a hunger-free Idaho.” said Karen Vauk, president of The Idaho Foodbank. “We are very grateful to CenturyLink employees, the CenturyLink Foundation, and all those in our community who participated in the CenturyLink Food Drive for their generosity and commitment to assisting those in need.”