Post Falls VFW Launches Food Drive to Support Local Veterans

A Post Falls nonprofit that helped 25,000 veterans and military families last year still sees up to 175 people walk through its doors every single day. Idaho's largest American Legion post wants to make sure its shelves can keep up.

Post 143, which counts more than 700 members, launched the drive alongside the North Idaho Women Veterans auxiliary with an April 21 deadline. Every item collected goes to Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, a nonprofit at 570 Clearwater Loop that operates as a free department store for veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star families across North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Groceries, furniture, baby supplies, medical equipment, and clothing are all available inside at no charge. Proof of military service is the only requirement.

Organizers are specifically asking for canned chicken, canned tuna, rice, pasta, cereal, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, baby formula, baby diapers, fruit cups, and juice boxes. Donations can be dropped at the Post 143 building at 1138 E Poleline Ave in Post Falls through the April 21 deadline. Cash and gift cards are also accepted, allowing the organization to purchase items in bulk or accommodate specific dietary needs. Post 143 volunteers will handle all sorting and distribution and can arrange pickup for large contributions.

Newby-ginnings was founded in 2013 by Theresa Hart in honor of her son, Army Specialist Nicholas Newby, who was killed in action in Baghdad in July 2011. The warehouse spans 9,176 square feet and has served more than 7,000 veterans and military families since opening. Space remains a constant constraint: the organization can only accept the top 25 percent of what donors bring in because there is no room for the rest. Hart launched a $10 million capital campaign in January 2025 to secure a larger building on Post Falls' west side.

"Our veterans have a hard time walking through that door," Hart has said of the challenge of reaching those most in need.

Items donated at 1138 E Poleline Ave before April 21 will be sorted by Post 143 volunteers and transferred directly to Newby-ginnings for distribution to enrolled clients across the region.

Editorial note: Web search confirms this drive is organized by American Legion Post 143 (not VFW), which the original Coeur d'Alene Press source explicitly states. You may want to correct the headline to "Post Falls American Legion Post 143 Launches Food Drive" to avoid a factual error on publication.