POST FALLS - Sherry Wallis has gained an emotional attachment to the Post Falls Food Bank as the nonprofit's executive director during the past five years.

Wallis, who brought stability to the food bank and helped lead several projects to improve its status, has accepted a community relations position for Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Her last day at the food bank is today.

"I've had an incredible journey during the past five years that has forever changed me personally, but I believe it's time for me to move on and pursue another opportunity," Wallis said. "I feel confident that someone will wrap their arms around this agency and take it to the next level. The food bank is in good shape. It's a gift from the community to the community."

Warren Merritt, the food bank's board chairman, said Wallis will be missed.

"A lot of the time I'll drive by at night and say, 'Sherry, you can go home,'" he said. "She's applied for grants and shows up to every event there is. She's given way more to the food bank than anybody could ask."

Wallis, who formerly worked at North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center in Post Falls, has a master's degree in communications.

The food bank's board has chosen Kerri Thoreson, who has experience leading nonprofits, as the interim executive director until a full-time person is chosen around Oct. 1.

Thoreson formerly led the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and served as interim executive director of the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center last winter. She was on the food bank's first board in the early 1990s. She currently serves as a city council member and is a columnist for The Press.

"Kerri has been active in the community for many years and has served on multiple boards," Merritt said. "She understands the mission of the food bank and the day-to-day importance of volunteers. She will be a great fit during the interim period."

Thoreson said she has a flexible schedule and is pleased to serve in the interim to give the board time to make the right decision.

"Sherry has done a great job; it's a well-oiled machine," Thoreson said. "My purpose is to keep all the balls in the air and work with the volunteers to keep everyone on an even keel."

Last year the food bank served a "duplicated headcount" of 53,000 people, including those who were served multiple times on a weekly basis. Volunteers, 370 of them, served more than 15,000 hours at the food bank last year.

Under Wallis, the food bank paid off its mortgage, started an endowment fund, bought a large freezer, purchased a refrigerated truck, installed LED lights to reduce energy costs, paved a portion of the parking lot and made refrigeration upgrades.

"As the need for food assistance changed during the recent economic hardships experienced by so many people, the need to assist families in our community increased tremendously," Wallis said. "My personal experiences have been rewarding, humbling, joyful and heartbreaking."