The Priest Lake Food Bank has been awarded an $11,000 grant from 101 Women Sandpoint to install critical sewer infrastructure at its new location. The funding will support the installation of a sewer pressure line and gravity sewer line, which are necessary before the facility’s first phase of construction can begin.
The food bank currently operates out of a small shared space with a local thrift store. According to the organization, the sewer infrastructure must be completed before a Phase 1 garage and storage building can be constructed in fall 2026.
Matching Donation Doubles Impact
101 Women Sandpoint announced that an additional donor has agreed to match the $11,000 grant, bringing the total support for the project to $22,000. The organization stated that a permanent, purpose-built facility is essential for the food bank to expand its capacity and provide reliable year-round service to residents facing food insecurity in the Priest Lake area.
The Priest Lake Food Bank is led by Director Joan Andrews, President Richard Gumaer, and Secretary Mary Gumaer. The grant was presented at the 101 Women spring membership meeting in May 2026.
About 101 Women Sandpoint
101 Women Sandpoint is a philanthropic membership group composed of 101 women living in Bonner County. Each member contributes an annual donation, which is pooled to create two grants awarded each year at spring and fall meetings. The organization increased its grant amounts to $11,000 each in fall 2025.
The spring 2026 grant cycle included three finalists: the Priest Lake Food Bank, Better Together Animal Alliance, and the Community Resource EnVision Center. Each finalist underwent a vetting process that included grant application reviews and site visits. Members received presentations about each organization’s mission and funding needs before voting to select the winner.
Previous Grant Recipient
Last spring, 101 Women awarded a $10,000 grant to Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. The funding enabled the organization to build a portico from the kitchen door of the Senior Center to the sidewalk, providing safer access for meal delivery and better protection for volunteer drivers. The project also included the installation of two automatic garage door openers to improve access and safety.
What Comes Next
The Priest Lake Food Bank will use the combined $22,000 in funding to complete the sewer infrastructure installation ahead of the planned fall 2026 construction of its Phase 1 storage building. The permanent facility is designed to increase the food bank’s capacity to serve the Priest Lake community throughout the year.
Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for future 101 Women Sandpoint grant cycles can find application information at 101womensandpoint.com. Women in Bonner County interested in membership can also visit the website or contact the organization at [email protected].