Amid rise in overdoses, nonprofits will ‘fill the bus’ to support recovery from drug addiction

In response to a 30% increase in relapse and overdose rates in Kootenai County since March, the Community Library Network and Magic Bus Spokane are going to “fill the bus.”

They’ll fill it with donations of nonperishable food items, toothpaste, hygiene kits for all ages, plus new and gently used sleeping bags, blankets, coats, gloves, socks and caps, according to a news release. All donations will go to Kootenai Recovery Community Center, whose mission is to help with recovery from drug addiction by providing free services to county residents.

“When you support recovery the whole community benefits,” Lisa Alberts, Interim Director of Operations at Kootenai Recovery Community Center, said in the release.

Magic Bus Spokane will also offer entertainment for kids at the event while “highway heroes” in large trucks will parade past.

The nonprofits will host the “Fill the Bus” event at Riverbend Place in Post Falls Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Oct. 11 from noon to 5 p.m.