NW Autobody aims to help food bank

It’s Novem-deer at Northwest Auto Body and area food banks.

Throughout this month, the Sandpoint and Ponderay body shop will donate $50 to the Bonner Community Food Bank or other area food banks for each wild animal collision the company repairs.

November is the busiest month for deer versus vehicle collisions because the animals are on the move because of rut and the hunting season.

This will be the fourth year the locally-owned autobody and towing business will donate to the food banks. Last year, $1,450 was given as a result of the campaign.

“This comes at a good time for families in need,” said Debbie Love, the food bank’s executive director. “This money goes straight to buying Thanksgiving turkeys and dinners for locals who need a little help.”

This Thanksgiving, the food bank will give out 800 turkeys and turkey dinners this year.

“That was the idea some of our employees had back in 2016,” said NWAB president and co-owner, Eric Donenfeld. “They wanted to find a way to help their neighbors and we wanted to make this a win-win. This is our way of turning an unfortunate circumstance into something good.”

Donations will also be made at food banks in Bonners Ferry, Priest River and western Montana if customers are from those areas.

It seems like everyone who lives in this area has hit a deer or two and November is by far the busiest month for deer, vehicle collisions according to insurance companies.

Some hints to avoid deer collisions include:

- Being especially alert from 5-8 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. when deer are moving around.

- Deer travel single file. If you see one deer crossing the road, assume there will be more nearby.

- Deer often feed along road rights of way and can be unpredictable. Never assume where they are going to go. Slow way down.

If the inevitable is about to happen and you are about to hit a deer, play it safe and don’t swerve dangerously to avoid it. If you have time to slow down, do. Also, the safest place for you to strike a deer is in the middle of your front bumper.

After an accident, make sure you safely pull off the road and can inspect the damage to see if the vehicle is drivable.

“Northwest Auto Body is an outstanding example of a local business making a difference,” Love said. “We appreciate their support and are grateful they partnered with us.”

“We love our community and are blessed to be in a position to help others,” said Northwest Autobody co-owner Cory Donenfeld. “These are our neighbors and friends.”

For more information, please contact NWAB at 208-265-9999 or the Bonner Community Food Center at 208-263-3663.