Combating Hunger, One Meal at a Time

Food insecurity is a pressing issue that affects many communities worldwide. In North Idaho, a small but dedicated team of volunteers has taken it upon themselves to make a difference. Led by Evie Fatz, the owner of Cōpow, a healthy food business, these volunteers are working tirelessly to provide meals to those in need. Fatz, who moved to North Idaho from Nevada, was inspired by her connection to The Just One Project to find ways to combat food scarcity. She believes that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, without having to rely on leftovers or handouts. With this vision in mind, Fatz established the Brighter Life Foundation, a non-profit arm of Cōpow that focuses on providing meals to seniors, children, and individuals in addiction recovery homes. Volunteers at Cōpow work together to assemble healthy meals for the community. They meet on Fridays at the storefront, where they prepare and package meals that are then distributed to those in need. Lindsey Brahm, a nursing student at Lewis Clark State College, is one such volunteer. She jumped at the chance to combine her college requirement with a cause she is passionate about. "I chose Brighter Life because there's a lot of food insecurity here," Brahm explained. "It was the perfect place to get my hours for school and to help out. " Angela Poole and Shelby Bloxam, two other volunteers, have also seen the impact of food insecurity firsthand. They believe that by working together, they can make a real difference in the lives of those affected.