Express Employment Professionals had already planned to host its second Thanksgiving food drive this year, but the need for provisions escalated after the government shutdown began.

“When the SNAP benefits halted Nov. 1, the demand for food donations skyrocketed,” Express owner Jessica Bauman said. 

Staff at 16 companies heeded the call and collected 13,049 pounds of food.

Items were delivered to the Community Action Partnership food bank in Coeur d’Alene and to 3rd Avenue Marketplace in Post Falls. 

The biggest donors for the Post Falls food drive were FMI-EPS, owned by Gary and Glenda Bremer and their children, Chris, Tony and Wesley Bremer. FMI-EPS workers donated 3,444 pounds of food over three weeks. 

Marketplace Executive Director Charlene Holbrook stopped by the Post Falls business Tuesday to thank the employees and tell them their contributions have had impact. 

“Everything that was collected has already gone out,” Holbrook said. 

Employees at Kootenai Health were named the food drive champions for Coeur d’Alene, collecting 947 pounds of nonperishable food items for the CAP food bank in one and a half weeks. 

CAP supplies food to more than 20 food banks in North Idaho.

“This food drive has been such a great addition to the food bank and community families,” CAP food bank manager Katrina Mayer said. 

Post Falls participating agencies included Knudtsen Chevrolet, Lightning Tool and Manufacturing, Dollar Fulfillment, Bild Industries, Northwest Specialty Hospital, Jacklin Northwest and Republic Services.  

In Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai Health, Express Employment Professionals, J-U-B Engineers, Modern Glass, Northwest Specialty Hospital, Axis Spine and Pediatrics, Witherspoon Brajcich McPhee, Intermax Networks and Black Sheep took part in the food drive. 

To get involved in next year’s food drive, reach out to Jessica Bauman at 208-667-5627.  

For assistance with food security, contact Community Action Partnership at 208-664-5787 or 3rd Avenue Marketplace at 208-773-0139.