Post Falls Food Bank in search of bigger facility to meet growing needs, population

POST FALLS — A nonprofit that has filled the cupboards of countless North Idaho homes for years is ready to make a move.

The Post Falls Food Bank, established in 1989, has started searching for a facility that will be large enough to house the operation that's bursting at the seams at its present location at 415 E. Third Ave.

"We're playing 'Tetris' with the food just trying to manage the million and a half boxes," said executive director Leslie Orth. "It is a big deal, given where we come from — a bookcase behind a pastor’s desk in an office — to needing a facility about 8,000 square feet to do what we do. This county is exploding, and the percentage of people who are always going to be needing is increasing as well.

"We've known for a couple years, and we're finally ready to pull the trigger," she said.

Last year, the Post Falls Food Bank distributed more than 1 million pounds of food and served over 38,000 residents in Kootenai County. Unlike other food banks, Post Falls is set up like a market. Shoppers are allotted points based on family size and needs, and they choose their food while managing their points. Healthy products like fruits and vegetables cost zero points, encouraging patrons to eat more healthy foods.

The Post Falls Food Bank Board of Directors signed a contract with a real estate agent about two weeks ago to help with the process. Board Chairwoman Rebecca Greer said it's a particularly tricky time right now because of the pandemic, accompanied by a low inventory of commercial properties in the Post Falls area.

"We’re really just starting the process," Greer said. "We're looking at listings. We’re also looking at the possibility of if someone wants to buy the current building and then lease it back to us until we’re ready to move — creative solutions until we have the necessary capital."

She said the food bank will be working on partnerships with local financial institutions and other nonprofits that specialize in financing to help with the necessary funding. The board has been stashing away some money through the years knowing this was coming, but with big fundraisers like Give Hunger the Bird canceled this year, the food bank will be coming up with capital campaigns and alternative avenues for revenue.

"It's a big bummer for us; it's one of the largest fundraisers. We just didn't think it was the right message to send to the community when the current state is the current state,” Greer said. "We'll definitely need help from the community and individuals."

Linda Savage of Hauser visited the food bank's Third Avenue Market on Wednesday. She moved to the area from Houston and has relied on the Post Falls Food Bank to get through hard times. She has become good friends with the volunteers, and she sees how much work goes on in such a tight space.

"They are great. I love all the ladies that volunteer," she said. "They need a bigger facility because Post Falls is growing so much and they're serving so many people."

A facility of 8,000 square feet would be roughly double the space the food bank has now. Orth expressed her dream of having a nice big commercial kitchen and areas where classes can be held to better serve the community and the many nonprofits with which the Post Falls Food Bank partners.

"We want to have classrooms where we can use them for teaching," Orth said. "We want to evolve into something more significant to the county."

Greer said ideally, the new location would have room for at least 30 parking spots to prevent crowding in the parking lot. She said the present building is landlocked, so the hope is to find a new or existing building with a large enough lot to allow for expansion in the future.

"Post Falls is just expanding and expanding and expanding. The more people, the more need," Greer said. "We've just outgrown what started so long ago. In order to serve the community, we need more space."