When Northwest Autobody showed up to present a check to Debbie Love at the Bonner Community Food Bank, the company decided to add a twist.

“Our food bank has been extraordinarily busy this year,” said Eric Donenfeld, co-owner of Northwest Autobody. “We know the important role Debbie and her crew play for so many of our friends and neighbors in need and we wanted to step up in a bigger way than we usually do.”

Since 2016, NWAB has donated more than $10,000 to the food bank in what has become known as Deervember or Novemdeer.

As anyone who drives knows, deer are plentiful in November. They are in rut, are being hunted and are generally a nuisance around vehicles. Several NWAB employees decided to turn a negative into an opportunity to raise awareness to warn drivers to be on the lookout for deer and to raise funds for the food bank. Novemdeer was born.

“November is by far the busiest month insurance agencies and body shops have as far as vehicles versus deer goes,” said Cory Donenfeld, NWAB co-owner. “So we decided to raise awareness with stories and advertising warning people to be extra careful looking out for deer and other critters that cause accidents. We also wanted to make it a win-win.”

NWAB has donated $50 for each animal strike in November to the food bank for four years.

“The employees feel good about Deervember and even customers who have hit a deer feel a little bit better when they know their accident is helping the food bank,” said Eric Donenfeld.

Now the twist.

NWAB knew it was on track for another good donation when Eric decided to see if he could raise even more money. He called his friend and banker, Eric Paull of Washington Trust, to see if he wanted to help out. He did.

The two business leaders, who are also Sandpoint Rotarians, recently presented a check for $2,250 to Love at the food bank.

The donation came at an important time for the food bank as more and more people are needing help, she said. The donation will cover one month of food purchases.

Love is grateful to NWAB and has been overwhelmed with the outreach from community businesses like NWAB and Washington Trust as well as civic groups such as Rotary.

The food bank is always looking for donations, volunteers and more people to help. While food donations are accepted and appreciated, cash donations actually go further and allows the food bank to purchase four times as much food for each dollar donated.

For more information, please go to: www.foodbank83864.com. You will find volunteer forms as well as contact information.