A Boise nonprofit that works to keep families in their homes says many of those families are now struggling to put food on the table. The nonprofit is responding by opening an emergency food pantry for its clients.
Jesse Tree, an eviction and homelessness prevention organization, is running the pantry through Nov. 6. Executive Director Evan Stewart said rising rent and the cost of other basic needs are leaving clients with little money for food.
“People don’t wake up thinking, you know, I’m just not going to pay my rent,” Stewart said. “They’re wondering how the heck am I going to pay rent with you know these other bills stacking up, with groceries being expensive, gas being expensive.”
Stewart said rent across the Treasure Valley has risen more than 40% in the last few years, including another 10% this year.
“What we’re hearing from community members is nearly half the income that they make goes just towards the rent,” he said. “So, it doesn’t leave a lot of extra income towards groceries or other essentials.”
Jesse Tree surveys every client it serves. Stewart said nearly half of this year’s clients reported being worried about paying for groceries before their next paycheck, and 55% said they already use food pantries.
Demand for the organization’s help is also at a record. Stewart said Jesse Tree, which he said has operated since 1999, is on track to serve 1,300 to 1,400 families this year, the most in its history. In 2020, it served about 400 families.
The organization’s 18 staff members work with people at different stages of the eviction process. Case managers help tenants resolve problems before they reach court, and staff mediate between landlords and tenants at Ada County eviction court on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Housing navigators help clients find more affordable homes.
“Our lane, of course, is keeping people housed, but we also recognize the other growing concerns that people are having,” Stewart said.
Jesse Tree first opened an emergency pantry last year. Stewart said that pantry was a response “to potential SNAP cuts.” In late October 2025, during the federal government shutdown, Idaho paused November benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. More than 130,000 Idahoans receive those benefits.
Jesse is hoping the food pantry can help stretch families’ budgets as they enter the holiday season.
“We know that the end of the year is the toughest time for families,” he said. “That’s when we see eviction court really pile up with cases.”
The pantry is stocked entirely with donations. Jesse Tree is asking for non-perishable food such as canned goods and dried pasta, “anything that can help a family put together a meal for their kids,” Stewart said. The organization will keep accepting food donations after the pantry closes Nov. 6.
Stewart acknowledged the pantry is a short-term help. Jesse Tree also refers clients to food banks and other organizations that offer holiday assistance.
“It probably won’t get them completely through the holiday season, but hopefully, it’ll get them through the next week or the next two weeks when they’re going through you know any sort of housing insecurity,” he said.
“We can’t do it just by ourselves,” Stewart said. “We need the community to rally behind that mission.”