Regence builds 1,500 hygiene kits for homeless youth at 2019 United Way Flapjack Feed

More than 71,000 families with children in Idaho earn less than the basic cost of living. In the Treasure Valley alone, there are 4,500 homeless youth, according to the United Way. Regence was honored to play a part in helping some of these local kids in need by organizing the massive volunteer effort at the United Way of Treasure Valley (UWTV) Flapjack Feed in downtown Boise. 

As the community service sponsor, more than 50 Regence employees volunteered their time to organize teams and help build 1,500 hygiene kits for students, which contain supplies like shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. The kits will be distributed to schools in advance of the upcoming school year, so students can feel prepared and confident when classes begin.

“It’s amazing what we can do in a few short hours,” said Maureen Hamilton, corporate social responsibility lead at Regence BlueShield of Idaho. “I’m so pleased we were able to give back in such a substantial way this morning.”

The annual fundraising event brings the community together for an outdoor feast on the Basque Block in downtown Boise. This year, the UWTV served more than 1,500 pancake breakfasts and raised $16,800 to kick off the 2019-20 giving campaign season, according to Mark Nail, director of finance at the UWTV.

Learn more about United Way of Treasure Valley at unitedwaytv.org.

Gary Smith, director of government and community affairs (left), and Sean Robbins, president of Regence BlueShield of Idaho, were honorary pancake flippers at this year's breakfast.

Watch this video to see the team in action: