As Idaho Falls prepares to celebrate the nation’s independence at the upcoming Chamber of Commerce “Liberty on Parade,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and the Idaho Falls City Council are teaming up with the Idaho Falls Interfaith Council and Community Food Basket Idaho Falls to encourage residents to bring a little something extra to the parade this year.

Residents are being asked to bring canned goods, non-perishable items or even a few extra dollars to the parade, which will then be collected along the parade route by the Mayor, City Council, and volunteers from 39 different faith-based organizations from the local community.  The donations will be collected in two vintage fire trucks, donated by Farr’s Candy.

“We hope that as people come out to celebrate, they will remember that there are many, many people in our community who have not financially recovered from the pandemic and who need our help,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “The need is real.  These are our friends and neighbors.  Please be generous and help celebrate our nation’s independence in a way that demonstrates the real soul of our country and our community. Dig into those pantries and cupboards and bring a few canned goods.  Your kind gesture will mean a lot more than you ever realize.”

Along with the Mayor and Council, volunteers from dozens of local faith groups will be walking the parade route in brightly colored shirts helping collect donated items from parade-goers.  Donations collected will later be donated to local food pantries, including the Community Food Bank.

“Even as we celebrate being able to gather again, we know that a lot of people are still hurting right now,” said Interfaith Council representative, and local Farr’s Candy owner Kevin Call. “We really hope that everyone will bring a can of food, or two… or twenty for that matter. Help us load up these fire trucks with food.  As Americans, it doesn’t matter if you are 10 years old or 100 years old, this is something everyone can do to help and lend a hand to a neighbor in need.”

The “Liberty on Parade” 4^th of July parade will take place on Saturday, July 3^rd this year and will begin near Idaho Falls High School, traveling down 4^th Street and then south on Boulevard to Tautphaus Park.    The vintage firetrucks for the Interfaith effort will be located near the beginning of the parade lineup.  Those who bring donations will be able to give them to the Mayor, City Council or other volunteers.  Volunteers will be easily identifiable in bright colored, Interfaith Council shirts, and will be walking the parade route along side the fire trucks.