SANDPOINT — In its mission to "strike out hunger," the Bonner Community Food Bank is hosting its second Hunger Bowl fundraiser on Saturday.

"Last year it was a successful event — we had lots of comments from people wanting to do it again," said Debbie Love, food bank executive director.

When organizing the first Hunger Bowl in 2017, Love said they thought it would be a unique way to raise money to help fill the shelves, which tend to be a bit empty in the summertime when kids are home from school. The food bank, which runs on a point system, provides more points in the summer to families with children so they can have more food at home during those months.

In its two locations, Sandpoint and Priest River, the food bank provides services to 900 area families, feeding more than 2,500 people each month, with an average of more than 1,000 children per month, Love said. In December, the Priest River food bank moved from its long-time home at the Happy Agers Senior Center to a larger facility in the River Town Mall. The move helped with allowing for more food donations and the ability to implement a market shopping method, with more variety for families to choose from. The Priest River branch has seen a 20-percent increase since moving to the new location, serving more than 100 families per month.

Every dollar raised through fundraisers like the Hunger Bowl provides four meals to local families serviced by the food bank.

Several businesses have signed up teams, but there is room for more, Love said. The competition, held at Huckleberry Lanes in Sandpoint, will consist of four-person teams and the cost is $200 per team, which includes games, shoes, drinks and snacks. There will be prizes for the teams and a silent auction as well.

New this year is a non-competitive open session from 10-11 a.m for individuals or families. The cost of $10 per person includes one game and shoes. The team competitions will follow with one session from noon-2 p.m., and another from 3-5 p.m.

The food bank partnered with Huckleberry Lanes for the fundraiser, and Washington Trust Bank is sponsoring the event.

For information call the food bank at 208-263-3663 or email [email protected].

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.