All the fixings

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

Most people would agree that the desire to help our neighbors reaches its peak this time of year. 

A local woman shops at the Bonner Community Food Bank. Photo by Ben Olson.

As snow settles in the valleys of the Idaho Panhandle and residents settle into the darkest months of the year, the giving spirit can go a long way toward making sure some of those residents can make it through the holidays with good food on the table. Facilitating that cause are five food banks across Bonner County, including the Bonner Community Food Bank, which is currently seeking turkeys to help feed between 600 and 800 families in Sandpoint and Priest River this Thanksgiving.

“We also need all the fixings to go with,” said BCFB administrative assistant Tammie Harder. “Stuffing, gravy — anything you can think of that would go with Thanksgiving dinner.”

She said turkeys both big and small are needed, seeing as not every family can eat a 20-pound bird. The food bank is also always accepting nonperishable goods of all kinds, as well as toiletries and, very important, diapers. Monetary donations are also accepted.

While the BCFB team manages both the Sandpoint and Priest river food bank locations, there are also food banks in Clark Fork, Priest Lake and Oldtown seeking Thanksgiving donations. See their addresses, hours and contact information listed below.

Bonner Community Food Bank
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
1707 Culvers Drive
Sandpoint
208-263-3663
foodbank83864.com

Clark Fork Food Bank
Open Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Located at the Seventh Day Adventist Church
700 Pine St.
Clark Fork
208-266-0321
clarkforkadventist.org

Priest Lake Food Pantry
Open the first and third Tuesday of each month, noon-3 p.m.
Located at Lamb Of God Church
26506 Hwy 57
Priest Lake
208-448-2367 or 208-448-2383
facebook.com/pg/priestlakefoodbank

Priest River Food Bank
Open Tuesday, 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon; Thursday, 2-5 p.m.
45 S. McKinley St., Ste. 107
Priest River
208-448-4989
foodbank83864.com

West Bonner Food Bank
Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-noon
315 E. 3rd St. N.
Oldtown
208-437-0143