OUR SERVICES
Helping Hands:
Our Food Bank Services
At the heart of the Bonner Community Food Bank (BCFB) is a commitment to treating everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion. Recognizing the shared humanity in each of us, we strive to ensure that those facing food insecurity feel seen, valued, and supported. Our doors are always open, no appointments needed, and no qualifications required—because we believe that just reaching out for help is a significant step in itself.
We understand that life's challenges come in various forms. Whether you're going through an emergency or facing financial constraints, our food assistance program is here for you. Each person or household can shop once a week, with shopping points allocated based on household size. While there's a point system for non-perishables, perishables come with no points, allowing us to meet the majority of your monthly nutritional needs. For those looking to access the USDA supplemental food program, some monthly income information is be required. No one is turned away from our regular food assistance simply for asking for help.
Community Programs: BCFB goes beyond just food assistance. We are invested in the overall well-being of our community. This commitment reflects in our community programs. Our summer cooking and gardening classes have been a hit!
The Weekend Food Program
The Weekend Food Program is formerly known as the Back Pack Program. The weekend food programs provide nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food to children to ensure they get enough food on weekends and holidays to avoid hunger when they can’t depend on school meals.
Every backpack food program is unique to the community and school it serves. By providing kids with the nutrients they need when they’re away from school, they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn.
Do you know someone who could benefit from The Weekend Food Program? Call us and we can connect you with the right resources.
Getting Started at BCFB:
Initiating your journey with us is simple. We know that a crisis doesn’t have a timeline, so you can either call or just walk in. After a brief sign-up session where guests can choose the services they desire, we ask for a Photo ID, a Bonner County address, and optionally, some monthly income details for those seeking the USDA program. (We don’t turn anyone away, so come with the information you are able to provide, and we will get you taken care of.) Once registered, you'll be introduced to our facility and our shopping process.
Our Provisions:
Every Wednesday and Saturday during the summer, our diligent volunteers bring in food from the Sandpoint Farmers Market. Additionally, local grocery stores often hold seasonal food drives and generously donate produce and other perishable items. We maintain the high standards of food safety and adhere to Idaho state regulations when distributing donated food.
Collaborative Opportunities:
We are always exploring new avenues for collaboration. One such prospect is the Gem State Gleaners from Priest River, which holds potential for a future partnership.