About Us
Food For Thought began almost by accident. Melanie started with a simple idea: find a few local families who could use some extra support and ask her customers to rally around them (she also runs a small business). But as she connected with local schools, she quickly realized the need was much bigger than a handful of families. In the neighboring Caldwell School District, approximately 87% of students were identified as economically disadvantaged.
What started as a small community service campaign became something she couldn't simply walk away from.
In 2025, she officially created Food For Thought, an Idaho nonprofit built around a simple belief: communities are stronger when we take care of one another.
Today, we work alongside schools, families, businesses, churches, donors, and volunteers to provide food and essential resources to children and families while helping create the stability kids need to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Our goal isn't just to serve our community. It's to build community while helping our community, because sometimes changing a child's world starts with neighbors deciding to show up for one another.
Our Team
Melanie Bray-Beardall Founder & President
Melanie Bray-Beardall is the co-founder and President of Food For Thought. With a master’s degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University, Melanie brings a background in research, education, small business, and community-centered work to the organization. After more than a decade as an entrepreneur, her path increasingly turned toward understanding how systems, resources, and environments shape people’s ability to learn and thrive.
Food For Thought grew naturally from that work, and from a belief that meaningful change often begins when people simply decide to show up for one another. Melanie is passionate about connecting schools, families, businesses, and neighbors to address real needs with dignity and compassion. Her vision for Food For Thought goes beyond providing food and essentials: she hopes to build stronger communities, create greater stability for families, and help ensure more Idaho children have the support and opportunities they need to learn and thrive.
Derek Beardall Co-Founder & Board Director
Derek brings nearly two decades of public service, advanced technical expertise, and 14 years of experience as an instructor to Food For Thought. He holds a Master’s of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience and previously served as a graduate instructor at Boise State University. Teaching has been one of the most rewarding parts of Derek’s career and has shaped his belief that every child deserves meaningful access to education and the opportunity to reach their potential.
Throughout his career, Derek has seen the difference strong support systems and connected communities can make in people’s lives. He believes community service is not only about meeting immediate needs, but about strengthening the environments in which children and families live, learn, and grow. Through Food For Thought, Derek hopes to help remove barriers to learning, strengthen families, and build communities where children have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Emma Indart Director of Operations
Emma is an instructional designer with a master’s degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University. She is passionate about improving systems and processes to help Food For Thought serve as many families as possible and maximize its impact in the community. She also serves as Managing Editor of the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation, an academic journal that bridges the gap between research and nonprofit action.
A Treasure Valley native, Emma has experienced firsthand the positive impact social programs can have on children and families. Her personal connection to these programs fuels her commitment to giving back to the community she calls home.
Ashley Turner Board Director
Ashley brings nearly 15 years of public service experience working with children and families at risk. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and has dedicated much of her career to child safety, prevention, and education, including teaching law enforcement and community audiences how to recognize risks facing vulnerable children.
Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional work. Ashley has helped lead outreach efforts providing families with school supplies and basic necessities while also creating opportunities for children to experience the fun, traditions, and simple joys of childhood. She believes children deserve more than having their basic needs met—they deserve to feel safe, valued, and included.
Through Food For Thought, Ashley brings her experience in advocacy, education, and outreach to help create meaningful experiences and stronger support for children and families in Idaho.
Vanessa Davis Board Director
Vanessa Davis has been part of Food For Thought since its beginnings in 2024, when she responded to a social media post looking for volunteers and quickly became an integral part of the effort. She helped lead the organization’s 2024 and 2025 holiday programs, improving processes and coordinating inventory and distribution to help donations reach families efficiently.
Before spending the past eight years raising her family, Vanessa worked in insurance and appraisal. She is also a Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Health Coach. Her experience volunteering with food distribution while living in Germany strengthened her passion for community-based involvement and ensuring children and families have access to food, necessities, and educational opportunities.