Betty Kiefer Elementary Spread the Love drive starts Jan. 31 for veterans

Betty Kiefer Elementary School is collecting non-perishable food items to support veterans and military families through its annual "Spread the Love" food drive. The school’s announcement states, "Betty Kiefer Elementary School’s annual 'Spread the Love' food drive runs Jan. 31–Feb. 13."

Organizers are requesting specific items residents can readily provide: canned goods, peanut butter, pasta, rice, granola bars and kid-friendly snacks. Those items are listed in the school’s announcement and in local reporting about the drive, which also noted that "The food drive will support Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, a nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans and military families."

Community members wishing to drop off donations may use the Lakeland Joint School District office. As a notice to the public put it, "Community members can donate at the Lakeland Joint School District office, 15506 N. Washington St., Rathdrum." No additional drop-off locations or hours were listed in the published notices.

The drive’s timeframe aims to marshal community resources for local veterans’ families at a point when pantry staples can make an immediate difference. Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, identified as the beneficiary, focuses on serving veterans and military families in the region; the drive channels non-perishable food to that organization for distribution.

Not all logistical details were included in the announcements. Neither the school’s notice nor the community posting supplied daily drop-off hours, a contact name or phone number for questions, or guidance on acceptable packaging or expiration-date policies. The absence of those details means donors should plan for standard business hours at the district office or contact the Lakeland Joint School District directly for specifics before making a special trip.

The drive continues a pattern of school-led civic engagement in Kootenai County, where elementary schools often mobilize families and neighbors to support local nonprofits. For residents, the request is concrete: provide staple items such as canned foods, peanut butter, pasta, rice, granola bars and snacks designed for children, and bring them to 15506 N. Washington St., Rathdrum before Feb. 13.

For readers, the practical next steps are clear: gather non-perishable items from the specified list and drop them at the district office during regular hours; those donations will be routed to Newby-ginnings of North Idaho to assist veterans and military families. Local leaders and organizers may yet release additional details on hours, collection points or volunteer opportunities as the drive proceeds.