'Incredible' generosity stocks CAP shelves

BONNERS FERRY — For the families in Boundary County that struggle to keep food in their refrigerator and pantry, Community Action Partnership (CAP) has been the place many turn to in their time of need. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the CAP is filled with more food than it ever has been before.

“All of these shelves are absolutely stacked,” said Community Engagement Liaison Liz Bigsby of Community Action Partnership. “We have four freezers, and four refrigerators, one being a walk-in, and they are absolutely full. Then we have a back shed that has three pallets and they are stacked as tall as I am.”

Bigsby attributes the success to individuals and organizations that have put on food drives this year, as well as corporate donations. She is thankful for the consistent food drives that occur every year, as well as the new ones.

“It has just been an incredible year for Bonners Ferry,” said Bigsby. “Talk about being supported. Just incredible.”

This past year saw an increase of 9,066 pounds of food over the 2017 total of 110,509 pounds. November alone brought in over 16,000 pounds in one months time.

“I feel that, out of the abundance of the heart, I think people are really willing to support and to help,” said Bigsby. “I think they are looking at their fellow neighbors and they are really realizing that the need exists right next door to them.”

Bigsby feels that the awareness of the hunger problem is being raised recently by the media, and also by stories of children who have organized food drives themselves.

“This is the trickle effect of that,” explained Bigsby. “I think kids are making their folks aware and parents are acting, and it has evolved into a thing where communities are really pulling together to target the need.”

To keep track of the donations, CAP measures the weight of all the food coming in, as well as going out.

“I see the freezers be filled and emptied, filled and emptied,” said Bigsby. “I know that we have had more than we have ever had before.”

Her biggest challenge since fall has been placement of food — bringing it in, how to get it in, maintaining the freezers, how to get it out, and where to store it.

“It has just been like playing ‘Tetris’ with the food,” said Bigsby.

With the food supply momentarily well stocked, people have asked how else they could help. Bigsby responded by asking for shampoo and she received two cases full of shampoo.

“I asked for deodorant and got two cases of deodorant ... and diapers, and paper towels, and toilet paper, and dish soap, and laundry soap, and razors,” explained Bigsby. “I asked for some razors and I got bags and bags of razors, so we can put those together in packets. I asked for socks and I got a whole bunch of socks. Every single request has been filled, and filled to the gills.”

“All I have to do is blow my horn and they show up,” she continued. “I have not been let down once. They have always showed up and brought an abundance with them. It has been amazing, absolutely amazing.”

’Tis the season for generosity, and the community pulled together over the holidays, providing ham and turkey dinners for families through a variety of means, from the schools to churches, and other organizations and businesses. This allowed people to not only be fed, but to enjoy the camaraderie, a feeling of belonging and being celebrated.

Bigsby doesn’t want to mention any particular individual or organization because so many people have helped, and she doesn’t want to leave anyone out. She wants to express her gratitude, to everyone, even the sweet people who drop in with a bag of groceries or a ham.

“They all matter,” said Bigsby.

“My main goal was to enlighten the community on what they did ... what they are doing,” said Bigsby. “It is my job to kind of manage what goes in those food boxes and what stays on the shelves and to sort and distribute accordingly, so that I can do the very best for the community.”

“They brought it in and I want to do the best giving it out,” she continued. “It is a big responsibility and I don’t take it lightly. I think it is a privilege to be here and I wanted everybody to know that I am so thankful… really so thankful.”