Young vendor aids food bank
—Courtesy photo<br>Pictured from left are Bonner Community Food Center assistant Jennie Aus, Olivia Perdomo and food bank manager Alice Wallace.
SANDPOINT — When Olivia Perdomo, a 10-year-old Sagle Elementary student, was looking to start her own business, she approached her mom, Barbara, with several ideas.
What they ended up doing was partnering with the area's local food bank, Bonner Community Food Center, by placing vending machines throughout the community.
"I see my mom and dad run businesses from our home and I want to do that, too," Perdomo said of why she wanted to start her own business.
"When I go to college full-time I can take my vending business with me," she said.
She said she chose to work with the food bank because she wanted to help the community, especially the children.
"What I love most about my vending business is the candy and servicing our machines every two weeks," Perdomo.
She said it is fun to go into the businesses, check on machines and get to know everyone.
Perdomo donated a vending machine to the Bonner Community Food Bank and will give a portion of the proceeds to the food bank every month. The remainder of the money she earns will go to her college education.
As her route continues to grow, look for Perdomo's vending machines throughout Sandpoint and Ponderay. They are clearly marked with a Bonner Community Food Bank sticker. They currently are located at Sandpoint Sports, Sandpoint Outfitters, Stitchin Sisters, Motel 6, Sandpoint Super Drug and Sears.