Event raises lots of 'doe'-nations

Northwest Autobody and a few partners recently gave the Bonner Community Food Bank a boost right when it needed it.

Since 2016, Northwest Autobody has donated money to the food bank as part of its "Deervember" promotion.

November is the busiest month of the year for animal versus automobile accidents and demand spikes at our local food bank with more people needing its services all the time. 

It's a perfect collision between need and an opportunity to give.

The repair facilities donate $50 to the food bank for each animal versus automobile repair during the month. The promotion has been called everything from "Novemdeer" to "Deervember" to "Bucktober" to "Doevemdeer," it really should just be called a success.

With the $3,400 "doenation" this year, the event has raised more than $20,000 for the food bank. This year's check was the largest ever presented from Northwest Autobody.

"We are so grateful for Northwest Autobody and their friends for supporting us this way," Debbie Love, BCFB director, said. "We have come to count on this generous donation and the need keeps growing. "We are truly partners."

The food bank saw 33,000 visits in 2022 and that record topped the previous year's number of 24,000 which was also a record. 

Washington Trust's Eric Paull teamed up with NWAB several years ago to match the company's donation. Andy and Christina Bruse from AGE Heating and Cooling also jumped on board this year with a $500 check.

"It is heartwarming to see our business partners and friends help us out to make our annual donation even more impactful," said NWAB co-owner Cory Donenfeld. "What a great feeling to know we are supporting our friends and neighbors who really need help."

Love said the donation will fund the entire operation at the food bank for a month. This frees up funds to buy even more food.

Approximately 30 new families a month show up at the food bank and the numbers are trending up, Love said.

"November is by far the busiest month for body shops and insurance companies," said NWAB co-owner Eric Donenfeld. "All of our co-workers were sharing with me how excited they were to make a difference."

Donenfeld took the event to the next level and appeared at different events donn(er)ing a deer outfit.

Love also gets into the spirit of things and wears her Northwest Autobody cap nearly everywhere and makes sure the company's logo was added to the food bank's delivery truck.

"It's all about raising awareness about driving safely, helping our community and having some fun," Eric said.

NWAB recently purchased Accurate Collision in Bonners Ferry and started a tradition of giving back there as well. They presented the Boundary County Food Bank with a check for $1,075.

Love thanked NWAB, Sandpoint Rotary, Washington Trust, and AGE for making a difference.

"This community never ceases to amaze me or rise to a challenge," Love said. "Local business leaders like these guys just seem to get it done."