Fall Harvest Ball to benefit food bank

Earlier this year Sandpoint resident Colin Cox was trying to think of a way he could give back to his community. A chef for the Coldwater Creek Corp. and owner of Peerless Catering, Cox knew he wanted to incorporate his love of cooking with a fundraiser to benefit the town in which he lives.

So when Cox heard about the dire situation of the Bonner County Food Bank, he knew exactly what had to be done.

“My idea evolved into the Fall Harvest Ball,” said Cox. “The concept is to have local chefs cooking for hunger in our community.”

Cox has enlisted the help of Ivano’s owner Jim Lippi, Chef Gabriel Cruz of Schweitzer Mountain Resort, and Pend Oreille Pasta owners John and Valerie Albi.

“It is my hope as a community we can collectively rally for those in need,” said Cox. “As we are going into winter and especially in times like these, we cannot forget to feed our own.”

The event will take place Oct. 11 at the Ponderay Events Center and will include a five-course dinner showcasing some of the best that each chef has to offer.

“This is a way that chefs can give back to the community doing what they do best,” said Cox.

The event will cost $50 per person and will include musical entertainment as well as an auction. Cox said he hopes he and his committee can raise at least $10,000 for the food bank.

“We are planning on making it an annual event and making it even bigger next year,” said Cox.

Alice Wallace, director of the Bonner County Food Bank, said she does not remember a time when the demand for the food bank was so high and the supply so low.

“There is a terrific draw on the food bank right now,” said Wallace, who adds that there has been about a 10 percent increase in use of the bank’s services over the past year. “I attribute it to high gas prices and rent prices.”

Wallace says that the food bank, which is funded strictly through donations and grants, has been blessed over the years by the generosity of people who live in this small community. But it concerns her that the demand is high and it will only increase as the holidays approach.

“We have about a two-week to a month supply of food right now, and I anticipate a rise in the number of Thanksgiving boxes we will do this year,” said Wallace, adding that the food bank is in need of everything, but especially peanut butter and canned fruit.

When Wallace first joined the Bonner County Food Bank 11 years ago, it served approximately 1,700 individuals. That number has now grown to between 2,800 and 3,200.

“It has steadily grown,” said Wallace, who adds that given the increase in demand she continues to be amazed that the community always seems to rise to the occasion to help stock the shelves.

“Our community is the best,” said Wallace.

Tickets for the Fall Harvest Ball are available at Ivano’s, Pend Oreille Pasta or by calling Karel Miller at 946-6646. If you would like to donate to the Fall Harvest Ball, contact Colin Cox at 610-0509.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort gearing up for winter

The staff at Schweitzer Mountain Resort has been busy over the summer adding new features that will enhance and extend the skiers’ and boarders’ experience this winter.

One of those features is an online interactive trail map. It will update runs daily and allow people to print their own trail map prior to heading up to the mountain for a day of skiing.

“We want people to be able to ski and ride comfortably at their level,” said Schweitzer Mountain communications manager Jennifer Ekstrom. “The interactive trail map will help them get a sense for the difficulty of runs.”

Also new this year is a state-of-the-art snowmaking machine. While it will not be operating at full capacity this year, Ekstrom said the hope is that in the near future Schweitzer will be able to comfortably offer Thanksgiving weekend skiing.

“It will reduce our dependence on the weather,” said Ekstrom.

But before the snow flies, Schweitzer is helping get the community in the mood for skiing and riding. On Thursday, Schweitzer will host the showing of the Schweitzer Jib Jam world premier movie at the Panida Theater in downtown Sandpoint. The movie was filmed exclusively at Schweitzer Mountain earlier this year and will feature internationally known free-ride skiers John Spriggs, Kyler Cooley and Oscar Scherlin.

There will be several athletes on hand to sign autographs. Prizes, including a season pass to Schweitzer, will be given away. The doors will open at 6 p.m. with the film beginning at 7. Tickets cost $7.