Food bank announces fundraiser

SANDPOINT — The Bonner Community Food Bank is on a mission to "strike out hunger" in the community.

Food bank officials are hosting the first "Hunger Bowl," a bowling fundraiser at Huckleberry Lanes Bounce and Bowl, on April 22 to help the food bank feed families, particularly in the summer months.

"We would like to encourage businesses, teams, community groups, whoever is interested — a little goes a long way," said Barb Oler, food bank executive assistant. 

Teams are invited to come out and compete for bragging rights and the honor of being crowned "bowling champs."

Debbie Love, food bank executive director, said food bank officials thought it would be a unique way to raise money to help fill the shelves, which tend to be a bit empty in the summer time when kids are home from school. The food bank, which runs on a point system, provides more points in the summer to families with children so they can have more food at home during those months.

"So I think this (event) will bring awareness to people that the food bank still needs you — all year round," Love said.

The food bank provides services to 900 area families, feeding more than 2,500 people each month, averaging out to more than 1,000 children per month, Love said. Oler said the community helps out a lot by doing food drives throughout the year, but food bank officials decided two fundraisers a year — the "Empty Bowl" in the fall and now the "Hunger Bowl" in the spring — are needed to sufficiently provide to those families throughout the seasons.

There is room for 42, three-person teams at the event, and so far seven have registered. There will be prizes for the teams and a silent auction as well.

The cost per team is $200 and includes games, shoes, drinks and snacks.

Oler said every dollar raised provides four meals; therefore, if 42 teams registered at $200 a piece, that adds up to $8,400 for a total of 33,600 meals.

"That would be a huge impact," Oler said.

Love said the event would not be possible without the sponsorship of Washington Trust Bank and Huckleberry Lanes Bounce and Bowl.

"We were just excited that both of these companies came together and wanted to help," Love said.

Interested teams must register by April 19 by contacting the food bank at 208-263-3663 or email info@foodbank83864.com.

Items for the silent auction and prizes are needed as well, so anyone who would like to donate should contact the food bank.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.