By Ben Olson
Reader Staff
Cuts to SNAP benefits nationwide placed a new strain on families that need assistance keeping their pantries stocked — especially as we approach the holiday season.
If you or someone you love is having trouble finding enough to eat, below is a listing of local resources. Cut out this article and place it somewhere it will be seen by those who need assistance. You never know when you might need a helping hand. Special thanks to Molly McCahon for her assistance in compiling this information.
Bonner Community Food Bank
1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint
208-263-3663
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
45 S. McKinley St., Suite 107, Priest River
208-448-4989
Hours: Tuesday, noon-5:30 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
bonnerfoodbank.org
List of needs: tuna, canned items (chili, stew, soup, fruit, beans, veggies, pumpkin, yams, cranberries); breakfast cereal; peanut butter; jam/jelly; fruit juice; macaroni and cheese; pasta (whole wheat); brown rice; spaghetti sauce; diced tomatoes; seasoning packets; condiments; coffee/tea; frozen turkey; potatoes; stuffing; applesauce; Jell-O; gravy; chicken broth; pickles; toilet paper; feminine products; toothpaste/brushes; deodorant; soap; shampoo; conditioner; diapers; baby wipes; baby formula; laundry detergent; bleach; cleaning supplies; paper towels; garbage bags.
Clark Fork/Hope Food Bank
Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 700 Pine St., Clark Fork
208-266-0321
Hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Helping Hands Healing Hearts
530 Pine St., Sandpoint
208-263-6378
helping7b.org
Bonner Homeless Transitions
330 S. Florence Ave., Sandpoint
208-265-2952
bonnerhomelesstransitions.org
Sandpoint Senior Center
820 Main St., Sandpoint
208-263-6860
sandpointareaseniors.org
Sandpoint Community Resource
EnVision Center
130 McGhee Rd. Suite 220, Sandpoint
208-920-1840
Hours: seven days/week, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
crecidaho.com
Community Action Partnership
130 McGee Rd. Suite 220,
Sandpoint
1-800-326-4843, press 2 for
energy assistance
Hours: Wednesdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Offering energy assistance through March 4, 2026. Please bring a picture ID, Social Security card and proof of income for everyone in the home for the prior month. Applications are available by mail or email at [email protected].
Free pantry locations:
• Sandpoint Family Health Center, 606 N. Third Ave.
• Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main St.
• Litehouse YMCA, 1905 Pine St.
• Forrest Bird Charter Schools, 615 S. Madison St.
• Bonner Mall, near 7B Cinemas, Ponderay
The Burger Dock
The seventh annual Giving Thanks event at The Burger Dock, 116 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint (and same date/time at their Coeur d’Alene location, 200 N. Fourth St.) is from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Customers get a free meal including a full harvest burger, special sweet potato fries and a pumpkin pie milkshake. Dine-in only, while supplies last.
Would you like to offer help?
Gas cards are helpful donations for food banks, as well as other charitable organizations like Bonner Homeless Transitions and Helping Hands.
Senior centers are also thankful for volunteers to help deliver meals to homebound senior citizens.
Soup kitchens and community meals have different volunteer needs, so the best way to find out how to help is to call or show up an hour before they serve. They might need soup, food or extra hands.
COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHENS
Mondays
• 4-6 p.m. Hoot Owl Restaurant, 30784 Hwy. 2, Ponderay; 208-265-9348
• 4-6 p.m. Parkside Church, 423 N. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint; 208-263-2676
Tuesdays
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2235 Pine St., Sandpoint; 208-263-3648
• 5:15-5:45 p.m. Parkside Church, 423 N. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint; 208-263-2676
* This is a free meal offered in conjunction with the “celebrate recovery” program.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Parkside Church, 1428 W. First St., Newport, Wash., 509-447-3265
Wednesdays
• 11 a.m.- 1p.m. Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., Sandpoint; 208-263-2047
* The Rainbow Soup Kitchen formerly held at the Gardenia Center
Thursdays
• 4-6 p.m. United Methodist Church, 711 Main St., Sandpoint; 208-263-4232
Fridays
• 4-6 p.m. First Lutheran Church (temporary location for St. Josephís weekly meal due to a remodel), 526 S. Olive St., Sandpoint; 208-263-3780
Sundays
(third and fourth Sunday of every month)
• Noon-2 p.m. Mr. Sub donates and serves at the Sandpoint VFW Hall, 1325 Pine St., Sandpoint; 208-263-9613
* No soup kitchens offered Saturdays.
