A record Deervember is in the books and the Bonner Community Food Bank and many local residents are better because of it.

Northwest Auto Body and partners recently presented Debbie Love, executive director of the Food Bank, with a check for $6,400 — more than double the amount donated last year.

The driving safety awareness campaign has generated more than $25,000 in nine years for the Food Bank.

November is the most active month for vehicle versus animal collisions and it is also the time of year when an already stressed Food Bank is needed even more. Through the end of November, Food Bank usage is up 53% in the past two years.

An average of 3,000 people use the Food Bank each month and the number is trending higher.

“People need our assistance,” said Love. “An interesting trend this year is that we are seeing more working families who are just coming up short.”

There are also older folks who rely on Social Security, but rising grocery prices have taken a substantial bite into what they can buy at stores. There are working families that can barely afford rent but make just enough not to qualify for help from services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Then there are people who are just down on their luck — either living in their vehicle or homeless, she said.

“Some of the people have stories that are heartbreaking," Love said.

Northwest Auto Body has always been a supporter of the Food Bank and the feeling is mutual. The Food Bank has adorned its delivery van with a huge NWAB sticker and Love has been known to rock a NWAB cap.

“This is truly a small-town partnership where we saw a need and we had the means to help our less-fortunate friends and neighbors,” said Eric Donenfeld, NWAB co-owner. “This program is now an important part of our action plan and the goodwill that follows is humbling and growing each year.”

The auto collision repair company donates $50 for each vehicle versus animal repair in November from each of its three shops.

The promotion has been called everything from "Deervember," to "Doevember," to "Bucktober" and has been featured on regional TV, radio and newspapers. Love was recently spotlighted on Q6 News and she said gained even more donations as more people learned about the need. NWAB employees and owners have been known to wear deer costumes, deer hats and sashes made of automobile emblems to local meetings to raise awareness and to have a little fun.

“Two types of people live in this area,” said David Keyes, NWAB marketing manager. “Those who have it a deer and those who will.”

Like all good things, Deervember and Northwest Auto Body have attracted partners.

“There is no bigger supporter of Deervember than Eric Paull and Washington Trust,” said NWAB co-owner Cory Donenfeld. “Eric has matched our donations for years and that really made the impact jump. He has a heart of gold for our community and this is just one way he and Washington Trust help.”

Last year, Cory spoke to his Business Network International group about Deervember and he instantly found more support. AGE Heating and Cooling kicked in $1000 last year and upped the donation to $1,500 this year because the company had more installations than last November.

Energy Electric also jumped on board and donated $500 as did Rotarian Mel Dick and the 219. The biggest gift — other than from Washington Trust — was $1,500 from Mountain Stove and Spa’s Cliff McDermeit.

The impact of giving the Food Bank cash helps more than just giving food. The partnerships and buying power increase the impact fourfold.

“Over the last nine years through the cumulative donations of the Deervember Program, Bonner Community Food Bank has been able to provide 60,000 meals. That is more than the entire population of Bonner County,” said Ana Kampe, Food Bank development and volunteer coordinator.

Even though many community organizations turn out to help the Food Bank during the holidays, there is a need for assistance year-round, Love said. To learn how to help, check out the website at: bonnerfoodbank.org or call 208-263-3663.