SANDPOINT — With the state of Idaho declaring a freeze on SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown, the Bonner Community Food Bank is welcoming all residents who could be affected.

From shelf-stable goods like soups to produce from local grocery stores, the food bank offers free groceries for residents of Bonner County. Ana Kampe, volunteer coordinator at BCFB, said people just need to bring a photo ID during business hours to start the in-take process. 

"Our policy is that nobody is turned away,” Kampe said. “It’s essentially what you see in a grocery store, it just varies. We don’t have a standing order for broccoli or grapes, but if the grocery store has an excess of grapes that aren’t moving, they’ll donate them to us.” 

Kampe said the food bank will stay open throughout the federal government shut down because it’s primarily funded by generous community donors. According to BCFB’s website, they already serve around 3,000 clients each month. 

Kampe said there has been a noticeable increase in callers concerned about their own situation and that the food bank would also close due to the shutdown.  

"We are not going to stop serving the community because of the way we are structured,” Kampe said. “We are just going to have to be as responsive as we can, getting food into the market while reassuring our clients that we are not going anywhere, we are going to be here.” 

Despite the increase in potential visitors, Kampe said she is not concerned about the food bank’s supply. She said they have great leadership and have already been preparing for the holiday season, which is typically their busiest season. 

Kampe said that as concerns have risen over food insecurity in Bonner County, the community has stepped up to offer their help. 

"We’re seeing more people calling to ask about what our needs are,” Kampe said. “The generosity of the community in Bonner County is rising to the top.” 

Once accepted into the food bank, Kampe said that people are given a certain number of points to spend on items depending on the size of their household. She said that perishable items usually sit at zero points, while canned items can go for as much as eight points. 

Families are only allowed to shop once per week, to maintain a steady flow of people in the food bank building, Kampe said. She said that the food bank can also provide people in need with referrals to other services like energy or fuel assistance. 

Kampe said that the food bank welcomes any help that citizens can provide, from food to monetary donations to volunteer hours. For food, Kampe said the food bank is always looking for protein focused items like canned chicken and tuna with pull tops. 

"If it's in their capacity to donate a dozen cans of chili that is perfect or if they are in the position where they can make a monetary donation that is wonderful too,” Kampe said. “It’s really a very generous community that we work with, we’re really lucky.” 

For more information and hours for the Sandpoint and Priest River locations head to bonnerfoodbank.org.