This post is sponsored by Corpus Commons. All opinions are our own.
“Where can our family volunteer?”
I get this question a lot, especially around the holidays. One option our family has found is volunteering and supporting Corpus Commons in Boise. Corpus is the only daytime shelter in Boise and it serves about 200 guests every single day with meals, showers, laundry, a mailing address, job help and a safe place to spend time during the day.
You can help, too, in really simple ways, from building a gingerbread creation with your kids during their annual Great Gingerbread Build to giving as little as $10 a month. Here is how our family got involved and how yours can too.
How our family got involved with Corpus Commons
We talk a lot in our family about being a good neighbor and helping people who need it whenever we can. But with three young boys we don’t often have a REAL way to do that together and I know a lot of families feel the same way.
In 2025, my boys (then 10, 8 and 5) and I joined The Great Gingerbread Build – a new, festive fundraiser for Corpus Commons. We had an absolute blast building the Boise State stadium out of gingerbread, graham crackers, tons of frosting, sprinkles and candy. We aren’t even huge BSU fans but to be honest, a flat field felt more doable than a classic gingerbread house!
Our build was actually auctioned off and raised a couple hundred dollars for Corpus Commons. Telling my kids that their work helped neighbors experiencing homelessness in our community was HUGE for them. They are so proud of their build but also that they were able to do something that had such a big affect.
For me, it was honestly a gift to have a project that made us slow down together during the busiest time of year – even if it took over our kitchen table for a few weeks. It also gave my husband and I a natural way of talking about homelessness with our kids. That conversation can be hard to start but getting involved in this led to some really good conversations.
We loved it so much that we signed up to build again in 2026 and hope we can get tons of friends to join us, too. We also decided as a family to become “Friends of Corpus” – donating monthly to help support the work Corpus does.
What does Corpus Commons do? A Q&A with Jess Abbott
I asked Jess Abbott, Executive Director of Corpus Commons, to answer the questions I thought families would want to know. Her answers are below.
What does Corpus Commons do and who do you serve?
“Corpus Commons is a Boise nonprofit easing the burden of housing insecurity (not having a stable, safe place to live) and poverty in Boise. Our Community Resource Center is a daytime space where our guests can get a meal, a shower, laundry, and help finding employment. Our guests are people experiencing homelessness, people on the verge of it, and people who sleep in overnight shelters but have nowhere to go once those doors close in the morning. For many of them, Corpus is where the day begins. On a typical day, about 200 guests come through our doors.”
What do people often get wrong about housing insecurity in Boise?
“The biggest one is that the people we serve are from somewhere else. They’re not. Many are longtime locals, people whose families have been here for generations and who are being priced out of the city they love. The other is the idea that people experiencing homelessness are lazy, that it’s their own fault, or that they should just get a job. That couldn’t be further from what I see. Our guests are some of the most resilient people I know. Going without basics like a safe place to sleep, food, and a shower takes a real toll, and it often comes with deep trauma.”
What might local families not know about homelessness in Idaho?
“Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Idaho, and that surprises a lot of people. Many families and individuals are leaving unsafe homes with nowhere else to go. On top of that, Boise has rules against camping in public places, so people without another option are being ticketed, which adds fines and stress to an already impossible situation. We’ve started offering cots so guests have a safe place to rest during the day without getting fined.”
Why does The Great Gingerbread Build matter to Corpus?
“Like Corpus, The Great Gingerbread Build was built by the community, for the community. So many people make it possible, from the builders to the volunteers to everyone who comes to see the creations. It helps get our name out there and makes our mission more approachable, because let’s be honest, homelessness can feel uncomfortable to talk about. Gingerbread is a joyful way in. It also gives kids a chance to get involved, which isn’t always easy since kids typically can’t volunteer in our day-to-day services.”
“Because of Corpus…” Meet a few guests
In 2026, Corpus asked a few guests to finish three sentences: “Because of Corpus…”, “I am…” and “We are…” Here is what some of them shared.
Korbin: “Because of Corpus, I have a family. I am a father, a son, an uncle.”
Kristina: “Because of Corpus, I have a safe place to be. I am a fiancé, a mom, and a daughter. I am 14 years sober. We are a big family, a community.”
Jon: “Because of Corpus, I feel connected to people. I am a singer and a guitar player. We are people who were one paycheck away from being unhoused.”
Sean-Paul: “Because of Corpus, I have a safe place with food, family, and mail. I am a brother, twin, uncle.”
Micheal: “Because of Corpus, I have a means to succeed in life again because of their kindness and generosity.”
Moms. Dads. Brothers. A singer. These are our neighbors.
The Great Gingerbread Build
The Great Gingerbread Build is Corpus Commons’ holiday gingerbread competition and fundraiser. Local families, kids, businesses and groups build gingerbread creations and then the whole community comes to see them on display at a FREE showcase.
In 2025 more than 30 builders took part and over 700 people came out to see their creations. In 2026, things are getting bigger and better and we hope even more people are able to come experience it!
How does the Gingerbread Build work?
- Build: Builders register in November and space is limited. There are categories for kids and adults and for individuals and groups.
- Visit: The community showcase is totally free. You walk through at your own pace and there are extra activities like cookie decorating and live entertainment to enjoy while you’re there.
- Volunteer: Corpus needs volunteers to help run the event and you’re invited!
Find this year’s dates, location and registration on the Great Gingerbread Build page. You can also look for the showcase on our Events Calendar.
How can Boise families help Corpus Commons?
There is no one right way to help. Pick what fits your family this season.
- Build a gingerbread creation. Watch the Great Gingerbread Build page for registration and sign up as a family.
- Visit the free showcase. Bring the kids to see the gingerbread creations in December. Every visitor helps more people learn about Corpus.
- Volunteer at the Gingerbread Build. Corpus posts volunteer shifts on the Great Gingerbread Build page.
- Become a Friend of Corpus. Friends of Corpus is the monthly giving community. It starts at $10 a month and you can cancel anytime. Corpus is 100% community-funded, so monthly gifts help keep the doors open 365 days a year. Join here.
- Give one time. Jess shared what a gift does for one guest:
- $12 provides a month of showers
- $24 provides a month of laundry
- $56 provides employment help
- $128 provides a whole month of meals
- Donate here.
- Donate supplies or make art. Kids can make motivational and supportive artwork for the walls of Corpus and they’re always thrilled to get donations. You can see a list of needed items here and donate via Amazon here.
- Share the guest stories. Word of mouth is the best way Corpus reaches more families. Send this post to a parent who has been asking how their family can give back.
“For someone who has been without, a hot shower, clean clothes, and a good meal can feel like a fresh start.” — Jess Abbott
Corpus Commons FAQ
Corpus Commons is at 525 Americana Blvd. in Boise. It is open every day of the year and serves breakfast and lunch daily. You can see current hours on the Corpus Commons services page.
Kids typically cannot volunteer in Corpus Commons’ day-to-day services. The Great Gingerbread Build is the easiest way for kids to help, because they can build a creation, visit the free showcase, or make artwork for the shelter.
Yes! The Great Gingerbread Build community showcase in Boise is free to attend. Building a creation for the competition takes registration ahead of time, and the dates are on the Corpus Commons website.
You can join Friends of Corpus, the Corpus Commons monthly giving community, at corpuscommons.org/friendsofcorpus. Gifts start at $10 a month and you can cancel anytime.
So if your family has been asking “Where can we volunteer?” I hope you’ll consider Corpus Commons as your answer too. It’s one of the easiest ways we’ve found to help neighbors right here in Boise WITH our kids. Build a gingerbread creation, give a little each month or donate needed supplies. Every way counts!
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