Dedicated volunteers help food bank

SANDPOINT — It wasn’t too long ago that Willow Peterson depended on the Bonner Community Food Center as a client.

She returned the favor Monday as a volunteer and planned to return today to help out during the nonprofit’s busy operations during the holiday week. When the call came for volunteers to help distribute Thanksgiving food items, she was happy to offer her assistance as a gesture of appreciation.

“I’ve been on the other side, so I know what it’s like to need help,” she said. “It’s great to come back and help out since (the food bank) did the same for me.”  

Just one of the many volunteers essential to keeping the food bank operating smoothly on the busiest few days of the year, Peterson joined a dedicated crew of individuals who made sure clients had the items they needed throughout the day.

According to food bank director Alice Wallace, the help was much-needed. As she expected, clients were lined up by 7:30 a.m. Monday, hours before the Thanksgiving market opened, out of fears the food bank would run out of turkeys. It’s a common sight to see in the days preceding Thanksgiving, which indicates how highly food bank clients value their holiday turkeys, she said.

According to food bank volunteers Fran Guttin and her stepdaughter Ashley Guttin, the day went remarkably smoothly despite the early turnout.  The second Thanksgiving week in the new food bank facility smoothed out the wrinkles experienced last year. Clients moved smoothly through a clearly-demarcated market, picking out their items along the way. In addition, a system pairing new volunteers like Ashley with experienced volunteers like Fran helped everyone adjust, Wallace said.

“I’ve been learning quickly, stocking shelves and handing out food,” Ashley Guttin said.

The day was marked by good cheer, volunteers said. Clients and volunteers alike were free with smiles and a “Happy Thanksgiving” as newcomers filed in and out of the building. For the Guttins, the day was also a chance for some family bonding.

“(Ashely) is a great kid with a big heart, so I thought she’d get a lot out of this,” Fran Guttin said.

Volunteers and Wallace also indicated that, at least up until that point, turnout was somewhat slower than last year. Meanwhile, community generosity increased, with 852 turkeys collected at last count and more on the way. Local organizations helped out immensely this year, Wallace said. Small groups from First Christian Church, for instance, raised more than $10,000 in a food drive — good for 500 turkeys and then some. Meanwhile, the Sandpoint volunteer firefighters brought in another 100 birds last week. And that’s to say nothing of the many smaller scale donations over the weeks.

All the effort among both food bank volunteers and turkey drive organizers is worthwhile to ensure all local families have a happy Thanksgiving, Wallace said. According to volunteers, they’ve seen that firsthand.

“The interaction has been wonderful,” Guttin said. “Coming here and seeing people’s faces is such an amazing thing.”