SANDPOINT — Economic uncertainty and high unemployment figures are affecting everyone, but no local organization has felt the pinch more than the Bonner Community Food Bank.

With more and more people struggling financially, the food bank saw its customer base increase a record 46 percent in 2008, said executive director Alice Wallace.

Wallace attributes the historic jump in food recipients to general economic unease and increases in the area’s unemployed and underemployed workers.

“It’s a combination of everything,” Wallace said. “A lot of the jobs in this area are in the service industry. They’re not always jobs you can pay the bills with, and then hours get cut on top of everything else.”

The increase in demand necessitates an increase in supply. Fortunately, the food bank also had a banner year in terms of donations, bringing in a staggering 500,000 pounds of food, Wallace said.

“We’ve got enough right now, but it’s kind of like problems with the banks,” she said. “We’re OK now, but pretty soon it might be like, ‘Uh oh, where is the supply going to come from?’”

The problem, according to Wallace and others, is that many people only donate food during the holiday season, despite the fact that summer months can be nearly as busy.

“We need food all year round because we have clients year round,” Wallace said.

Because the community has historically come through with enough donations to meet the area’s need, Wallace said she believes the center will continue to meet demand. In order to keep an adequate supply on hand, the facility still needs money and food donations, especially milk, canned vegetables and peanut butter, said Wallace.

With community needs continuing to increase, Wallace said she is looking to expand the bank’s facilities to a larger building. Anyone interested in donating space is encouraged to contact Wallace for more information on the tax benefits of donation.

For questions about the Bonner Community Food Bank and how you can help, call Wallace at 263-3663 or visit www.foodbank83864.com