SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Elks lodge presented the Bonner Community Food Bank with a check for $4,000 as part of its donations to numerous community organizations last Thursday.

Tim Fitzpatrick, grant chairman for the Elks, said this grant not only gives the food bank a monetary donation, but members will also be donating their time throughout the year. Linda Tatlock, trustee assistant for the Elks, said the organization is aware of the amount of food insecurity in Sandpoint and wanted to help combat it. 

“We do whatever we can to help, whether we’re volunteering or getting grants or donations,” Tatlock said. “This is the first [grant] we figure out every year and then we work in the rest.” 

This donation marks the third year in a row the Elks has donated $4,000 to the food bank. Executive Director of the Bonner Community Food Bank Debbie Love said large monetary donations like these help the food bank sustain its supplies as smaller donations tend to decrease after the holiday season. 

Love said the food bank has seen a significant increase in its usage. Previously, the food bank would help an average of 400 households a week, but Love said last week they helped over 820 households. 

Fitzpatrick said the vote by the Elks to approve the grant was unanimous and commented on how enjoyable volunteering at the food bank can be. Tatlock said the donation is special to her because she’s experienced times where she leaned on the food bank to provide for her family. 

“I appreciate our relationship with the Elks because they are on the ground,” Ana Kampe, volunteer coordinator for the Bonner Community Food Bank, said. “They see how the money is being used and it really deepens the relationship ... I get misty-eyed just thinking about it.” 

In addition to the donation to the Bonner Community Food Bank, the Elks also made significant donations to other community organizations. Fitzpatrick said the organization donated $1,000 to the Sandpoint Senior Center for rehab equipment and $2,000 to the local nonprofit Food For Our Children. 

    (L-R) Bonner Community Food Bank volunteer coordinator Ana Kampe and executive director Debbie Love pose for a photo with Elks Grant Chairman Tim Fitzpatrick and Trustee Assistant Linda Tatlock.