Food bank celebrates move to new location

SANDPOINT — Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the Bonner Community Food Center’s new home.

Located at 1707 Culvers Drive next to UPS, food bank officials say the new location is the perfect fit. With an extra 1,700 square feet to utilize, they said they and clients are much more comfortable.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening will be held Friday, Feb. 24, from noon-3 p.m.

The food bank primary resource is food for families that find themselves short as they get close to the end of the month. At times the food bank has been known to help with rent, utilities and of course its new Coats 4 Kids program for children who need a warm coat for winter.

“The demand of the food bank is always rising,” said Alice Wallace, executive director of the food bank. “The donations from the community are tremendous and we appreciate that so much.”

The food bank’s history came from a group of interested members of the community, along with Florence Carter, organized the Bonner Community Food Center in 1980. The food bank called many locations in Sandpoint home, the latest being 921 N. Fifth Avenue. That building housed the food bank for the past 19 years was packed to the rafters and beyond.

The search started in February 2011 with the board and executive director searching in earnest for a new facility that would be large enough for growth and close enough for the clients to access.

As a thank you to the community, food bank officials are holding the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new facility.

Information: Bonner Community Food Center, 263-3663