The Priest Lake Food Bank needs a new location/space, and after hearing the behind-the-scenes of what they go through every time they help our community, it’s easy to see why.
Right now, it’s like setting up an entire grocery store every time they open. They unlock all the freezers, refrigerators, and storage rooms, then pull out rolling racks stacked with food and supplies. They set up tables, organize everything, and volunteers carefully fill boxes based on strict guidelines.
They have to keep USDA food locked in a separate room and freezer, everything tracked and inventoried. Other donations, 2nd Harvest items, even pet food, they all come from different small spaces. When they get perishables, they can’t store them long, so they scramble to pick them up the day before and stack them on the floor because there isn’t room in the coolers.
On distribution day, people can’t even come inside! .. the boxes are picked up from the porch because the space is so tight. And after all that? It ALL has to be taken down, cleaned up, and packed away to make room for the Thrift Shoppe.
They also store their truck and trailer in a garage so tight the truck mirrors have to be folded in, sometimes even with that, there's damage from the impossible angles.
The bottom line is: They’re doing incredible work, but the space is holding them back. With a larger, better facility, they can serve more Priest Lake families, keep food safer, make it easier for volunteers, and simply breathe a little easier.
Let’s help make that happen for them. THEY NEED OUR DONATIONS To contribute, send a check or money order to:
151 Pettit Lane, Priest Lake, ID 83856
OR use their DONATE button at top and bottom of page at www.priestlakefoodbank.org
Project Phase 4: Construction Improvements
The work of Phase 4 includes the construction of both the Outlet Thorofare and the Priest Lake Outlet Dam. The Outlet Thorofare was successfully completed during the 2020/2021 winter and accomplished the project goal of creating an impervious sediment retention feature for the breakwater structure and dredging of the silted-in channel.
Construction of the Priest Lake Outlet Dam begin in November 2020 and was partially completed. Outle Dam improvements successfully completed included extension of the dam gate height six inches. Other aspects of the Outlet Dam were partially completed including concrete and armor stone apron extensions. Challenges during construction led to severing the construction contract between IWRB and the contractor.
Construction documents have been updated to reflect current dam conditions and the IWRB intends to bid for the construction improvements to the Priest Lake Outlet Dam. Construction to finish the Outlet Dam improvements is anticipated during winter of 2023/2024.
Lakes Commission Map updating this map soon
