Food bank's year filled with generosity

We have heard the State of the Union speech, the State of the State speech and maybe even the State of the City speech, now this is the “State of Your Local Food Bank!”

The year 2009 was much different than previous years. With the economy as it is, our numbers of qualified people have been increasing at a rate higher than any previous year. Many of those are without jobs, have reduced hours, or pay. Some who have never thought of going to a food bank for help are now at our door. People call to see what the income eligibility is and other limits are there to qualify.   Some get up halfway through the interview and leave, because it is just too difficult for them to finish.

What is amazing is the response of the community. During the holiday months we are always busy, but the community response by volunteering or collect food, turkeys, or money. So far it has been adequate to keep the same quality of service going. Where we lost some large donations of turkeys and money, others stepped up and filled the need.   Our economic picture is surprisingly stable.

To all the individuals that made the Fall Ball fund raiser for the Food Bank the success that it was, thank you. To the businesses and individuals that donated items for silent auctions, thank you. To the attendees and those who purchased the auction items, thank you. After all bills were paid the food bank realized an increase of $14,000.

Thanksgiving time was quite a challenge preparing 867 boxes for Thanksgiving dinners.   Qualified residents of our community who had requested a Thanksgiving dinner turkey box, filed through orderly in two days of hectic activity. We asked the community to partner with us by donating food for these boxes, plus the many turkeys we would need. The community was fabulous. We received 1,100 turkeys, which were more than we needed, including our Priest River annex, the rest are being handed out now to clients who are always short of meat for the family.

The Christmas holiday dinner boxes were handed in the Sandpoint area by the Lions Club, but our annex food bank in Priest River does about 150 Christmas dinner boxes.   We even had enough turkeys for those dinner boxes.

Christmas family clients who are unable to have Christmas gifts at home can ask to be matched with families that help them with Christmas gifts for their family. Jennie Aus, my assistant did a tremendous job with matching 21 of these families. With the help of Santa all the gifts reached the families by Christmas Eve. The staff enjoyed this as much as the families on the receiving end. With all the donations, food and financial help we are so thankful to have been able to have a real impact in our community. The outpouring of the “giving spirit” has been overwhelming for those of us that work or volunteer at the Food Bank. Thank you seems inadequate as a response.

All the grocery stores in the Sandpoint area have been more than generous with the donations for the Food Bank. Most all the businesses in the area have done their part, given financially, held food drives and had their employees come and help out in some way at the Food Bank. Even the Sandpoint City Police Department sent volunteers to help oversee the passing out and delivery of the dinner boxes, getting acquainted with county residents in the process. The children at the schools have worked hard having food drives and fund raisers for the Food Bank. They have had contests to see who could get the most food in weight.

In closing I want to thank the community for all the donations that we receive throughout the year. It is good to help those that need a helping hand, you never know when it might be one of us next. Happy New Year.          

Alice Wallace is the director of the Bonner Community Food Center.