Area's generosity flows through local food center

I found my way to the Bonner Community Food Center on Highway 95 just inside of town. Sitting down in the store for a few minutes I am able to take in the wonderful energy and character of the place.

An elderly woman in a chiffon dress and white heels looks over the baked goods while a young father fills two bags with the available food. There is just one gallon of milk in the glass-door refrigerator.

A few minutes later a mother asks if there are any birthday cakes. She would like one for her son. A volunteer happily produces a somewhat disheveled cake from the back room. The mother accepts it graciously.

Tucked quietly between an auto parts store, the railroad and the edge of town, the Bonner Community Food Center serves over three thousand clients each month. Four employees and twelve volunteers keep the operation running with the help of remarkable local support.

I met with Alice Wallace, the director of the Food Center. Her compassion and understanding are immediately apparent. Her gratitude to her board, local donors, employees and volunteers permeate almost every word. She is proud of the work being done and both empathetic for and respectful of the clients served.

Alice explains that services at the Food Center are need based and individuals must qualify using the state poverty index. However, no one is turned away the first time they come in.

The Food Center opened its doors in 1980 when Florence Carter, Alice's mother, saw a need and acted upon it in a decisive manner. After twelve years and multiple locations, Florence located and helped facilitate the purchase of the land where the Food Center now stands and has been operating since 1993. A second store-front has since been opened in Priest River.

The Food Center is a beacon of hope for many. The clients range from "just married" teens to many elderly clients on fixed Social Security income. In addition, over fifteen thousand children are served annually. Approximately seventy-five percent of clients are employed but do not earn enough to survive.

Due in large part to local generosity, the Food Center has no debt and provides services to thousands of families on an operating budget of less than one-hundred thousand dollars per year. The Food Center receives no federal, state or local government funding so all of the money is raised through private donations.

On local grocer donates over seventy-five tons of the almost two-hundred tons of food distributed each year. Another major local corporate presence donates hundreds of turkeys at Thanksgiving and generously supports the Food Bank throughout the year. Idaho Fish and Game donates thousands of pounds of fish. The list of donors is a long one and can serve as an honor roll for local philanthropy.

Throughout the year schools, churches and civic organizations support the efforts of the Food Center with food drives, volunteer hours and monetary donations. The Food Center is indeed a community effort and accomplishment.

Each day the building buzzes with activity and a steady stream of clients pass through the doors with humility and sincere appreciation. The employees and volunteers treat each client with dignity and respect creating a safe and inviting environment.

Every year over one thousand clients overcome their need for services but always there are families to replace those who were able to work past their need for assistance. And always, the people of Sandpoint fill the shelves and pantry at the Food Center with the charity and compassion that help define this town.

Still, there are needs to be filled. Perishables are often at a premium. There was a noticeable lack of dairy and non-fish meat products on my visit. Monetary donations are always welcome and can accomplish the most good as the resources can be directed to the area of greatest need.

If you would like to donate food, money, time or are in need of services, please contact Alice Wallace at the Bonner Community Food Center by calling 263-3663. You can also stop by for a visit and you will see Sandpoint at its generous best.

? Tim Durnin is a local Realtor(R). He can be reached via e-mail at timd@century21.com or by calling 208-946-7046.