On the night of Jan. 27, 2021, more than 1,300 people across Idaho slept on the streets or were in some kind of homeless situation.

In Region 1, which comprises the five northern counties, 62 people slept in tents, encampments and warming centers, according to the 2021 Point-In-Time Count Report.

That same night, 86 people slept in emergency shelters, transitional housing or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.

"There are a lot of new people who’ve moved into our community that are having trouble finding housing," Salvation Army Kroc Center Community Outreach Coordinator Leslie Johnson said Monday. "Between Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, there are 500 children that are classified as without a permanent home."

This year, the Kroc Center's Families Feeding Families campaign is focusing on those who are often overlooked — families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

"This population, they’re invisible. I bet every one of us has seen or walked past someone experiencing homelessness every week," Johnson said. "For us as a community to see these people is really important. By providing these nutritious foods, that is really helping that person to feel seen."

This year's goal is to prepare boxes for at least 100 families. The shopping list includes thick socks to ensure those in need can keep their feet dry. Desired grocery items are high in protein and can be used without a fridge, microwave or stove:

• Dried fruit

• Fruit cups

• Jerky

• Breakfast bars

• Protein bars

• Chewy granola bars

• Peanut butter crackers

• Instant oatmeal

• Chex Mix in snack bags

• Single-serve cereal

• Madras lentils in pouches

• Ready-to-eat soups and chilis

• Tuna/chicken cracker packs

Development director Christy Markham said the Kroc is aware of a two-income Silver Valley family that is living in a camper after their landlord sold the house they were renting.

"They have two kids. They were one of those situations where their landlord decided to sell, which, of course, is that guy's right to do," she said.

The family has friends with property, but "they're living in their camper and they can't afford anything else," she said.

"These are lovely people. They're both working. It's just the housing part," Markham said. "They're living in their camper on the edge. Mentally, you can only take that so long. You can only stay positive so long."

Families Feeding Families began in 2009 as a Sunday school activity when families from Kroc Church blessed 35 other families in the community.

In 2010, "it exploded" in popularity, Markham said, when families helped 250 other local families.

The program continues to grow. Although it wasn't held last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 Families Feeding Families celebrated an all-time high of 1,047 families helped.

"It was such a coveted activity because it helped people," Markham said. "It put into perspective what that’s like to have food insecurity and have someone care about you."

Donors can drop off shopping bags of needed items at the front desk between now and Feb. 14. Salvation Army boxes will be assembled and delivered to partnering agencies, including St. Vincent de Paul of North Idaho and local food banks/pantries, to be given to a person or family living without a place to call home.

"This is healthy food that can be portable, eaten on the go, doesn’t require a lot of prep," St. Vincent de Paul of North Idaho Executive Director Larry Riley said. "It's a good campaign to build around. It's to help people who are truly homeless."

The Kroc Center is at 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene.