Oasis in the hunger desert 

Why not start September out on a community note by stopping by this event at the Oasis Food Center — a program based in Caldwell that provided nearly 300,000 meals for people through its summer feeding program this year?

The open house is from 3-6 p.m., Tuesday, at the Oasis Food Center, 611 13th Ave., Caldwell. Caldwell’s Mayor Nancolas will be there to cut the ceremonial ribbon at 4 p.m.

Help for the four-legged: Idaho Humane Society, Simply Cats need your donations

The Idaho Humane Society’s Pet Food Pantry program needs (sealed bags) of dry and canned food for dogs and cats. The pantry program provides pet food for families and individuals in need of assistance during trying economic times, and for over 200 companion animals of seniors who receive Meals on Wheels.
Donations also supply food for the Society’s foster animal program, and for other local animal welfare organizations.

Always a lot going on with our friends at United Way — as usual, lots of ways you can get involved, and get to know your community better. Here's the run-down:

United Way Flapjack Feed

Statesman publisher, Mi-Ai Parrish, will be among the local celebrities doing grill duty during United Way's flapjack feed, an all-you-can-eat breakfast to kick off the organization's annual campaign. The festivities are from 7:30 to 10 a.m., Thursday, at Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza.

Who wouldn't want to be one of Boisean Jaimie Horn's neighbors?

Horn wrote an essay for a contest called "Dreyer's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute," and told the ice cream folks why her neighborhood in Southeast Boise, is a great place to live. Out of 28,000 essayists, she was one of 1,500 chosen from around the U.S. to win a free ice cream block party. 

One hundred of her neighbors get to enjoy free ice cream at a special party this weekend.

Twenty libraries across Idaho are trying to spread the word about a great program for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled readers.

Librarians are coming to two local libraries this week to explain the "Talking Book" program, which provides thousands of professionally recorded books for those who qualify. The recordings, as well as talking book players, are free for participants.

Saturday is one of those days when there's almost too much cool stuff going on in the nonprofit, community-centric world. But you can take your pick.

Cool art

This event embraces kind of a wide definition of non-profit event, but I admired its creativity and community-embracing nature, so I think it fits. As you’ve probably noticed during various drive-bys, Boise State’s Student Union Building has been under construction/expansion for a while. This fall marks a grand reopening of the rehabbed center. Part of that reopening is a show called “Refrigerator Art” at the SUB Gallery.

Family Advocates, 100.3, Office Max bring in the school supplies

Stop by Office Max, 2509 Broadway Ave., between 11a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, and be part of a drive to make sure kids in need in the community start their school year right. All supplies will be put to good use, including backpacks, glitter, construction paper, kid's scissors, glue sticks, rulers, crayons, markers, paper (multi-purpose copy paper, cardstock: white, red, neon green or yellow), pens (black, blue, red), highlighters, pencils,  giftcards, etc.

Volunteers needed for the Boise River Cleanup and Wild Rivers Party

Idaho Rivers United is hosting a great duo of events for nature lovers.

First, it's the Boise River cleanup, 3-6 p.m., Thursday Aug. 13, followed by a Wild Rivers Party, 6-8 p.m. at Municipal Park.

All Idaho Rivers United members, guests and river cleanup volunteers are invited to the party, which will celebrate Idaho’s newest Wild & Scenic Rivers, 316 miles of the Bruneau, Jarbidge and Owyhee river basins, and new river campaigns.

Albertsons stores give customers the chance to ‘Pay It Forward’ for the environment Thursday

I always appreciate a creative idea — especially one that's pretty easy, as well as helpful.

Today (Thursday), Albertsons stores throughout the  West host a “Pay it Forward for the Environment” Program.

Albertsons checkers will give a free reusable bag to the first customer in each check out lane. That customer will be invited to “pay it forward” by buying a bag for the next customer, and so on.