Bonner Food Bank Starved For Cash Center Seeks Donations As Funding Cuts Raise Chances Of Closure

The shelves are chock full. It’s the bank account that is barren at the Bonner Community Food Center. The agency, hit with budget cuts earlier this year, is scrambling for cash to keep the food bank open.

“We have zero in a general fund at the minute,” said food bank director Alice Wallace. “I’m not going to threaten people with closing, but it’s a very real possibility if we don’t get any money.”

The center has enough cash to pay utilities, phone bills and two salaried employees until the end of the month. After that, the non-profit organization is broke.

The cash shortage comes at the worst time of year, Wallace said. The holidays are on the horizon, a time when many people in Bonner County need extra help with groceries, rent or temporary shelter. The center serves between 1,500 and 2,000 people a month. During the past nine months, 903 boxes of food were given to families in the area.

“That’s a lot of people for this area. People are amazed and have no idea we take care of that many families,” Wallace said. “If we close, those people will still need help, still need food. If we are not here, they will be at the county or on the street.”

Wallace is one of two paid workers who run the community food center. She plans to keep working even if she doesn’t get paid, but there are still bills rolling in.

“We can’t operate without cash, but I will stay as long as I can,” Wallace said. “It’s going to be a long month for us.”

The center formerly received about $50,000 a year from a community block grant overseen by the North Idaho Community Action agency. That agency closed down in May. The Community Action Agency based in Lewiston took over allotting funds to food banks in North Idaho.

The new group has cut funding, giving the Bonner Community Food Bank $2,000 a month for payroll and operating expenses. The center needs about $4,500 a month to operate.

Past success in landing donations has been part of the problem, said Florence Carter, chairman of the food bank advisory board. The center bought a new building for $95,000 and paid it off in four years.

“They thought if we could raise money like that, why not raise money for wages and other expenses,” Carter said. “The community has been very supportive, but it’s difficult. We are trying every way we can to raise money.”

For the center to survive until next year, Wallace estimates it needs between $35,000 and $50,000. She has spent most of her afternoons calling supporters and businesses for help.

“I don’t know where the money will be Nov. 1, but I’m here,” Wallace said. “It’s a worthwhile thing we are doing. Hopefully the community thinks so too.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HOW TO HELP Any donations can be mailed or dropped off at the food bank at 921 N. Fifth Ave. in Sandpoint.