Second Harvest Aug. 9 food distribution

Over two hundred families will share the eight to ten thousand pounds of food that the third Second Harvest food truck of the year will bring to Bonners Ferry on Aug. 9. Boundary County has been determined an area of high need, so it receives four shipments of food each year.

Second Harvest’s Grocery Rescue Program coordinates the gathering and distribution of food throughout the Inland Empire Region. Growers and distributors donate food to the program to help alleviate hunger in the area and to reduce waste from their own businesses. Apple, onion, cherry and potato growers all contribute produce that is excellent but may not meet blemish or size criteria. Some food is simply surplus. The Washington State and Idaho Beef Producers both provide beef that they simply contribute from their generosity.

Costs of the program are met by contributions from contributions and then the local delivery places have a charge for each delivery. Both individuals and churches along with the Rotary Club in the past have met those charges by offering to sponsor the truck.

The Aug. 9 delivery will be from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. or until the food runs out. While there are sometimes boxes available it is best to bring your own boxes. Because of the amount of food people often find it handy to bring a wagon to haul the food to their car. All who need food are welcome; there are no residence requirements. The food truck will be at the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot.

The last distribution of the year will be on Sept. 20.