Campaign aims to help food bank

Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Deervember.

Northwest Autobody's annual push to help the Bonner Community Food Bank officially kicked off Nov. 1 and the fur is already flying.

Since 2016, NWAB has donated more than $16,000 to the Food Bank and is looking to make an even bigger contribution this year.

For each animal strike repaired at Northwest Autobody in Sandpoint or Ponderay or at Accurate Northwest in Bonners Ferry, NWAB will donate $50 to the local food bank.

Washington Trust has partnered with NWAB the past few years and has matched NWAB's donations.

"The Food Bank provides such an essential service for our neighbors and friends and the need especially hits home around the holidays," said NWAB co-owner Eric Donenfeld. "We want to raise awareness about safe driving around wildlife in Novemdeer, Bucktober, or Doevember anyway so we thought we could make the most out of this."

November is the busiest month for vehicle versus animal collisions because of rut, dark and winter conditions.

"There is an old saying that there are two types of people who live in North Idaho," said NWAB co-owner Cory Donenfeld. "Those who have hit a deer and those who will."

The promotion has been a boon for the Food Bank in a time when it is needed most.

Director Debbie Love tells people the money raised by NWAB can run operations at the Food Bank for a month. The Food Bank makes the most out of cash donations because of its buying power.

"We couldn't continue to do this without the support of the community," said Eric. "And there isn't a more deserving organization than the Food Bank."

The BCFC can be reached at 208-263-3663 and is located at 1707 Culvers Drive.