Sandpoint is a beautiful place. Charming, clean, and quite prosperous on the surface. But behind those postcard views, many families are quietly struggling. Housing costs have soared. Service wages have not kept pace. Dozens of children live in motels or RVs. Others stay with relatives or couch surf with friends. The poverty here is often hidden, but the hunger is real. Food For Our Children (FFOC) was created to make sure local kids do not fall through the cracks. For more than a decade, this volunteer-powered nonprofit has made sure children across Bonner County have enough to eat, both on school days and during the weekends when school meals are unavailable. Jamie Schlehuber is a retired junior high and high school teacher who moved to Sandpoint full-time after retiring. Looking for a meaningful way to give back, she connected with FFOC through a friend on the board. Today she coordinates directly with schools, manages the weekly food bag program, organizes volunteers, and keeps track of individual school needs. "I really understand the value of kids getting food and what a difference it makes for the kids and how they're able to learn,” says Jamie. Judge Barbara Buchanan is a longtime Sandpoint resident and recently retired district judge who continues to serve as a senior judge for part of the year. When she retired, she knew she wanted to spend more time giving back. She joined the board early on and has helped guide the organization ever since. Is Hunger Really That Big of a Problem Here? Yes. It is simply less visible than in other places. Many families live in older motels, RV parks, small apartments, or unstable housing situations. A two-bedroom apartment in Sandpoint often costs $1,500 a month or more. The middle class is shrinking, and many working families are caught between high costs and limited income. Kids who appear fine at school may be facing food insecurity at home. “When I talk to friends and different people out in the community, they have no idea that there's this need. I think that's a part of it is just trying to get the word out that there is a need here,” says Jamie. What Food For Our Children Does Many people assume the group simply provides food for kids, but the scope is much larger. The mission is carried out through three major programs. 1. Weekend Food Bags Every Wednesday morning, about 10 to 15 volunteers gather at the Bonner County Food Bank to assemble weekend food bags. The group delivers over 550 bags across the school district. Some weeks, it is slightly fewer, but the trend continues to rise. Each bag contains two breakfasts, two dinners, two apples and additional nutritious items that children can prepare safely on their own. No child has to prove they qualify. If a student wants a bag, the school gives it to them discreetly. Delivering these bags requires its own team of volunteers. Farmin Stidwell Elementary alone receives 177 bags each week. 2. Weekday Snacks for Classrooms There was a time when teachers were paying out of pocket for snacks because hungry kids could not focus or learn effectively. After learning about this, FFOC began supplying schools with nutritious snack options so teachers no longer have to cover the cost themselves. “Kids can’t learn when they’re hungry,” says Barbara. 3. School Meal Subsidies This is the fastest growing part of their mission. After COVID ended and Idaho went back to traditional federal meal qualifications, many families found themselves earning slightly too much to qualify for free or reduced meals, but not enough to stay ahead of rising costs. Food For Our Children created a subsidy program to fill that gap. In the first year, they supported families in the Lake Pend Oreille School District who were within 10 percent above the income threshold. Last year they increased it to 20 percent, where it remains this school year. Next year, FFOC hopes to increase that amount to 50 percent due to a historic partnership with the Kinderhaven Foundation and the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Within days of recording this podcast, the Kinderhaven Foundation announced that it was awarding FFOC a two-year grant totaling $372,000 to help pay for school meals. Food For Our Children is now embarking on a campaign to raise enough money to match Kinderhaven's grant with the goal of providing affordable school meals for students from the lowest 50 percent of household incomes in the school district. Why They Do Not Accept Food Donations All the food that FFOC delivers comes through Second Harvest , a large nonprofit distributor that supplies USDA approved, shelf stable food bags. The bags have remained five dollars each, a remarkable achievement considering rising food and shipping costs. Food For Our Children adds apples to ensure every child receives something fresh. Because of safety and nutrition requirements, FFOC cannot accept food donations from the public. Food For Our Children also takes into consideration the age of the child receiving the bag of food. Everything must be safe for young children and easy to prepare without the risk of burns or injury. Older students receive XL bags with items that need to be prepared on a stove such as chili mac and pasta. How the Organization Is Funded Food For Our Children is completely independent from the food bank. Funding comes from individual donors, grants, the annual wine gala and auction, business partners, and school sponsorships. A major point of pride is that 100 percent of public donations go directly to feeding children. The eight-person board covers all overhead costs themselves, including supplies and administrative needs. “We have a working board. So, everybody does a little bit of everything,” says Jamie. Donors can choose what their gift supports. They can give to the weekend bag program, classroom snacks, meal subsidies, or adopt a specific school. Several businesses and individuals have already adopted schools, though Farmin Stidwell, being the largest, still needs a sponsor. How to Help Weekly bag packing happens every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and takes about an hour. People show up when they can. Delivery drivers are always needed, especially for larger schools. Volunteers also assist with the annual gala by helping with food service, pouring wine, and providing safe rides home. The board is a working board. Members take on significant tasks such as grant writing, bookkeeping, fundraising, coordination, and event planning. You can donate, volunteer, adopt a school, or simply help spread the word. Visit: foodforourchildren.org Even sharing the story helps people understand a need that is often invisible in our community.

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Brittany Clapp-Abdella helps people find purpose in their lives, but first she had to find hers. She’s now in a job she hadn’t expected, but once she discovered it, she knew it was the right fit. Her story is a reminder that our answer to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” should carry little weight in a world that’s always changing and in lives that are always growing and evolving. Brittany’s path to this work wasn’t linear. It was guided by a sense that she was made for more. Originally from Massachusetts, she found her way to Idaho by way of family roots and an openness to start over. “It wasn’t part of some big plan,” Brittany says with a smile. “I just knew it was time to move, and I followed where I felt led.” When she first arrived in Idaho, Brittany started out as a private caregiver, then became a personal administrative assistant for a friend who ran a roofing company out of San Francisco. She handled operations, managing crews and logistics. What she didn’t expect was how profoundly that experience would shape her future. “It wasn’t the job title that changed me,” she says. “It was the person I worked for.” Her boss modeled integrity, kindness, and a work ethic that pushed her to grow. He saw her potential before she did and helped her see herself differently. She recalled one small but meaningful moment when she and her boss were formulating a plan to get some chairs upholstered: a simple meeting where they were planning and bouncing ideas off each other. But it was during that meeting that a lightbulb went off for Brittany. “Something clicked,” she says. “I realized I was sitting across from someone who thought like me: articulate, creative, analytical, and kind. For the first time, I saw a reflection of myself in someone I admired.” Eventually, that boss gave her the kind of advice that is both terrifying and liberating. “You’ve worked yourself out of a job,” he told her. “Who you are and what you’re capable of is too big for what I can offer you. You need to go do something greater.” And so she did. Brittany took a position as an accounts manager for a roofing company. She worked hard but didn’t realize how unhappy she was. The job was unstable, offered no benefits, and the stress affected both her and her son. Brittany eventually left that job and was unemployed for about a month and a half before finding what she calls her ‘purpose work.’ It was a posting for an Outreach and Engagement Specialist with Equus Workforce Solutions (EWS). “At first I thought it was a scam,” Brittany says. “It just sounded too good to be true.” But when she researched the organization and found it to be a legitimate, nationally recognized career development company, she knew she had to apply. Within 24 hours of her first interview, she was invited to meet with the regional director for the state of Idaho. During that conversation, she was asked a question that stopped her in her tracks: “When you think about this position, how do you see yourself within it?” “I saw this image in my head, a glowing neon sign that lit up with the words Hope Dealer. I saw it flash not once but twice. At first I thought, ‘I probably shouldn’t say that.’ But then I did. I said, ‘I can see myself in this position as a hope dealer.’” The director smiled and said, “That’s exactly it.” That phrase, hope dealer , has become Brittany’s mantra. “Being a hope dealer means holding out a light for someone who’s standing in the dark,” she explains. “It means saying, ‘I’ve been where you are, and I believe you can make it too.’” That belief guides everything she does at EWS. The organization helps people remove barriers to employment and build meaningful, sustainable careers. Participants include veterans, individuals reentering the community after incarceration, people who have been laid off, single parents, and others trying to find their footing again. Sometimes the obstacles are educational, like needing a GED to qualify for better jobs. EWS covers testing fees and even offers financial incentives for every test passed. Other times, the barriers are financial or practical, like paying for a commercial driver’s license or buying work gear. And the support doesn’t stop there. Participants can also get help preparing for interviews, or writing resumes. By working with other organizations such as Idaho Launch , tuition, testing, books, and supplies are often fully covered. “When a person gets a job that fits them, it changes everything. It changes their sense of self, their family, their community,” says Brittany. She’s quick to add that she’s walked many of the same paths her participants are on. “I know what it feels like to start over, to wonder if you’re enough, to need someone to say, ‘You can do this,’” Brittany says. “And that’s exactly what we do every single day.” Take the first step. Visit equusidaho.com and click “Apply Now. ” It only takes a few minutes to get connected with a career coach who can help you move forward. Not looking yourself? Pass it on. Empowered people empower people.

The EnVision Center supports and networks with many nonprofits working to solve all kinds of problems in the community. It’s a privilege to be part of that network, and while we aren’t supposed to pick favorites, when thinking about organizations our county couldn’t do without, Panhandle Special Needs Inc (PSNI) in Sandpoint comes to mind. A nonprofit that has been helping people with disabilities live, work, and thrive independently for nearly 50 years. Finding a Place to Belong When Andrew’s parents first discovered PSNI back in 2012, they were searching for a space where he could grow socially and continue learning after school. “My mom and dad were looking for somewhere for me to go to be more social,” Andrew recalls. “We couldn’t find anything at first, but eventually we stumbled upon PSNI.” Through PSNI, Andrew started taking classes, joined activities, and quickly became part of the community. Over the years, Andrew has taken classes in budgeting, cooking, housekeeping, grocery shopping, and laundry, all designed to strengthen independence. What makes PSNI unique is how responsive it is to the people it serves. “When Andrew asked to learn about online dating, we made a class for it,” PSNI Job Coach Sierra Nicholson explains. “When he wanted to learn sewing, we found a teacher. The clients help shape their own program.” Every participant meets with staff once a year to plan goals and classes for the coming months. PSNI also matches staff with clients based on their expertise. “I worked in restaurants for years,” Sierra explains. “So I teach cooking classes. We all bring something different.” The Journey Home Andrew’s testimony goes beyond highlighting what PSNI can do for a client but also what happens when PSNI is taken away from a client. In 2022, Andrew briefly moved to Arizona with family and quickly realized how special his hometown program was. “I couldn’t get services, couldn’t get a job, couldn’t find an apartment,” he says. “There wasn’t a PSNI down there.” After a few tough months, Andrew called Triny Nicholson, PSNI’s longtime director who helped him return home. “They helped me plan, find somewhere to stay, and get back into services,” Andrew says. “They’ve always been there for me.” 50 Years of Service and Heart PSNI was founded in 1975 by Pat Rocco who realized that people with disabilities in Sandpoint had few opportunities to learn or work. Trinity Nicolson was introduced to PSNI in 1984 while in high school. She went to college and returned to PSNI, and she has been the director for 24 years. Sierra is her daughter. PSNI is the only adult developmental disability agency in Bonner or Boundary county. “When my mom started she had just 25 clients,” Sierra says. “Now we serve over 200, but the heart hasn’t changed. We’re still about connection, dignity, and independence.” PSNI now offers programs in employment services, adult day classes, life skills, a greenhouse and thrift store, ACE cardboard recycling, housing assistance, and statewide advocacy through the A-Team Idaho . “Our services touch almost every part of life,” Sierra says. “If someone needs help with work, housing, or just a sense of belonging, we’re there.” Employment and Community Partnerships One of PSNI’s strongest areas is job development. Clients start by learning work skills in structured classes and then transition into local jobs with support from job coaches. Andrew now works part-time at Safeway. “I’m a courtesy clerk,” he says proudly. “I push carts, clean bathrooms, sweep floors, pretty much everything under the sun.” Local employers have embraced the partnership. In addition to Safeway, businesses like Di Luna’s, Nieman’s, Better Together Animal Alliance, Winter Ridge, the Food Bank, Sandpoint High School, and Carter Country Farm & Feed all employ or collaborate with PSNI clients. Others such as Evans Brothers and Matchwood Brewing also host events and fundraisers. “I think we’ve touched a little bit of everybody in the community,” Sierra says. “Sandpoint really wraps its arms around us.” Celebrating the Holidays, PIS-Style The holidays are a busy and joyful time for PSNI. They participate in the EnVision Center’s Festival of Trees. This year their tree’s theme is ‘Bare Necessities.’ “We wanted to highlight simple joys, like Yogi Bear’s picnic basket,” Sierra says with a laugh. “Honey treats, berry goodies, and hand-carved wood items.” The PSNI tree will be displayed at Burlwood Dreams downtown, with raffle tickets available for purchase. On November 28, visitors can attend Sandpoint’s annual tree lighting ceremony, take photos with Santa Bear and lumberjack (played by Andrew) and try a themed drink from Roxy’s. After the festival, PSNI will host its Christmas Market, transforming its greenhouse into a winter wonderland full of local vendors and handmade goods. Guests can also pick up the 2025 Local Treasures Calendar, featuring photos of PSNI clients and the local businesses that champion their mission. Then in February, sports fans can join the Game Day Giveaway at Sweet Lou’s, a massive raffle featuring prizes like a signed Seattle Mariners baseball, Seahawks stadium Get Involved with Panhandle Special Needs Volunteer your time or skills, shop local at their markets and greenhouse, hire inclusively through PSNI employment services, or donate to support programs that build independence and belonging. Together, Sandpoint is proving what’s possible when a community opens its arms and its heart to everyone.

After years of addiction, arrests, and heartbreak, Tess thought her story was over. But hitting rock bottom became the beginning of her transformation. Through accountability, faith, and hard work, she rebuilt her life — not just for herself, but for others walking the same road. Today, Tess leads 208 Recovery.

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Sandpoint Alliance for Equity (SAFE) is more than just the organizer of the Sandpoint Pride Festival — it’s a year-round movement creating safe spaces, community programming, and healing-centered activism. From bike rides to hikes to game nights, SAFE’s most meaningful initiatives begin with passionate volunteers...