The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is
proud to recognize Bonner Community Food Bank as November’s Business of the
Month. The Food Bank is a non-profit service organization dedicated to
providing nutritious food sources. The ministerial association, along with
concerned citizens, organized the Bonner Community Food Bank in 1980. There
were many locations the Food Bank called home until 2011 their present location
at 1707 Culvers Drive was purchased.
The community of Bonner County is blessed
with a Food Bank that is the only one of its kind in Idaho. When the new
building location was purchased, it was with a new format in mind for the
delivery of its food services called a market. The ‘Market’ format was
established in November 2011, and has proven to be a brilliant way of food
delivery for food bank recipients. Each individual that is head of a household
is given 70 points to spend as cash in the food bank. Each other individual in
that same family gets another 10 additional points. These points are used the
same as money in a regular store. All of their clients have expressed how much
they like this system, reserving their independence and integrity.
Sometimes the choice is between buying food
and paying the rent, buying medication, or other vital expenses. The Bonner
Community Food Bank seeks to alleviate the stress of hunger and not knowing
where the next meal is coming from, better equipping their clients to be able
to deal with all of life’s challenges.
“Now, the Food Bank Board, staff and
volunteers want to extend our heart-felt thanks to those who have made our
success possible through contributions of time, goods or money,” said Alice
Wallace, Director of the Food Bank. “Without your generosity we would not be
able to help those who are truly in need in our community. The Food Bank relies
on your support. Our funding comes from individuals, businesses, local
organizations and grants. The current economic climate has created an urgent
situation of reduced funding, a sharp drop in donations and a significant rise
in the number of families who are turning to us for assistance. Without your
generous support, we could not reliably provide food for our neighbors in
Bonner County.”
Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of
Commerce in congratulating Bonner Community Food Bank for their success and
thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information or if
you are able to make a financial donation today, visit them at 1707 Culver Dr
in Sandpoint or call to be a volunteer at 263-3663.
In photo: left to right, Carol Warren and
Alice Wallace.
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