As reports and recommendations have been made about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by the CDC and government regulations, we have made changes to our daily operations at the Bonner Community Food Bank. Beginning March 16th until it is safe to resume normal operations, we are implementing temporary and precautionary changes to our market shopping in the food bank to minimize the spread of the virus, and to help protect vulnerable populations.
To help keep our community, clients, volunteers, and staff members healthy we have suspended normal operations of the food bank. Rather than closing completely, our team of volunteers and staff members will be temporarily creating and handing out supplemental food boxes to our clients. Thank you for your patience in advance.
Changes in Operations
We will be pausing all shopping inside our building and in place we will be handing out premade boxes of non-perishable and perishable items that will be distributed outside of the foodbank. Please be aware of signs explaining where to check-in and pick up boxes.
- If you are sick please do not come to the food bank and ask for a friend, family member, aid, etc. to come in your place. Please call the food bank to notify who will be picking up your box on your behalf.
- Clients are asked to park on the Northside of the building and check-in around the corner under the tent located on the southside of our building. Please be considerate and make sure that you are physical distancing when standing in line.
- At the walkup window to check-in we will hand you a sheet noting of of the items available to you.
- We are temporarily providing supplemental boxes, so we do not have to close as our organization. Due to decreased donations from our partners we will be handing out less food than usual. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patient cooperation.
Please note that we do not have any face masks or sanitizing materials to distribute.
How you can help:
Home Delivery: Currently, we are working to try to fulfill the needs of our elders with a home delivery option. To protect our volunteers, staff and clients safety we will only be delivering the box to your doorstep. If you are a current client and unable to come to the food bank and in need of this option, we are currently reaching out for more solutions to continue providing food to everyone in need.
Weekend Food for Kids: As Lake Pend Oreille School District and West Bonner County School Districts are closed, please contact info@foodbank83864.com to work out a solution for students. Any family that uses the Weekend Food for Kids program, we welcome you to come to our food bank and receive food during our normal hours of operation. Please let the check-in know you are part of our program, and we will provide you with food.
For students in the Lake Pend Oreille School District: On Thursday, April 2, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. We will have a volunteer with the weekend food bags available for students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program at the following schools: Hope, Kootenai, Northside, Farmin Stidwell, Washington, and Southside.
NIC Head Start: If your child is enrolled At Head Start please contact Cori or your family advocate. They will have the bags to assist you directly.
West Bonner County School District: For students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program please contact our Priest River Food Bank at 208.448.4989 to pick up food.
Donations: We are accepting and in need of your donations. If you have donations please bring them to the food bank at 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint or 45 S. McKinley, Priest River. We are available by appointment or if dropping off —call ahead or knock on the front doors. Please leave your donation at the door with your contact/ e-mail information and we will send you a receipt.
High need items: any hygiene/sanitary products (toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, dental items, etc.), canned foods (protein and vegetable items), meat, other nonperishable items (pasta, oatmeal, rice, etc.), infant supplies, and paper bags with handles. Monetary donations are the most helpful. Please mail or drop off donations to 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 or make a donation online, see below for link.
Volunteers: Please continue to come in as you are willing and able. We ask that volunteers who are at a higher risk to please consider necessary precautions and temporarily suspend volunteer services. If you are sick, we ask you kindly to stay home and take care of yourself. We understand if you are unable to volunteer and we happily welcome you back once you are healthy and feel safe to do so. If you do need to stay home or cannot make your shift, please let us know in advance. Email info@foodbank83864.com or call at 208.263.3663
Click to download a
|
Click to download a
|
Call or click to make a
|
|
|
 |
|
