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Eureka, Sandpoint Curry launch free meal initiative

| April 3, 2020 6:47 PM

PONDERAY — The Eureka Institute and Sandpoint Curry are teaming up to provide a free meal initiative as residents shelter in place because of the novel coronavirus.

They began providing 120 free meals each week for those in need on Friday.

The free meals can be picked up between 3-6 p.m. in the food court next to the Panhandle Animal Shelter off Kootenai Cutoff Road. For those without transportation, free delivery can be arranged within the cities of Sandpoint, Ponderay and Kootenai with 24 hours advance notice by calling the meal initiative hotline at 404-565-3131.

The Eureka Institute launched the meal initiative in order to be of service as the public adapts to an unusual living conditions.

“This is an incredible partnership between the Eureka Institute and Sandpoint Curry and I’m so grateful that our board of directors is stepping up to help fund this initiative,” said Steve Holt, executive director of the Eureka Institute.

Meals will be provided by Pete and Fiona Hicks, owners of Sandpoint Curry, and will consist of meat and vegetable curry along with rice.

“There is no better time than now for all of us to look out for one another and make sure everyone is properly nourished,” said Pete Hicks. “Providing this service has been a dream of mine for the past four years and I’m thrilled that the community is stepping up to make it happen, especially now.”

Each Friday costs approximately $620 for 120 meals and the intent of the program is to continue as long as funding is available, it’s necessary and utilized. Donations to the program will be accepted through the Eureka Institute and Sandpoint Curry websites at eureka-institute.org or sandpointcurry.com.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the program raised close to $1,500 in its first 12 hours.

“This absolutely shows the integrity and generosity of our community and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Holt. “If this program continues to fund at this level we’d love to work with other food providers to offer a variety of meals more often.”