Thrivent, Second Harvest give out 8,049 pounds of food to 518 people

Thrivent Financial and Second Harvest Inland Northwest provided 8,049 pounds of food during a recent drive in Bonners Ferry, feeding 518 people from 184 local households.

Held in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church, the two-hour food drive was the third held in the community. Food included bananas, corn, onions, carrots, spinach, apples, milk and fresh bread cultivated, grown and donated locally.

“We are here to feed the people who are in need in our community,” Mike Feiler, regional manager of Thrivent told those attending.

Feiler deems it crucial for people to understand that today America does not have a shortage of food. We do, however, have great difficulty with seeing that our food is distributed fairly, he said.

Jason Ratner, who moved here from Aspen, Colo., was impressed with the event.

“It's a great program,” Ratner said.

 “These (food drives) are not gonna happen without you volunteers,” said Randy Schacht, food safety manager for Second Harvest. “From our warehouses to the initial distribution to the Food Banks, it is the men and women of your communities that make all of this a reality.”

Kay and Loyle Peterson of Sandpoint, originally from Bonners Ferry, were two of 24 volunteers who donated their time and energy in order to make the event successful. This was Mr. Peterson's second time participating in the event. He convinced Mrs. Peterson to make it her first and she was thrilled.

All food leftover from these events goes to local food banks. In the case of Bonners Ferry, excess food was transported to Community Action at 7164 4th St.