Silverwood raises more than $38K for local food banks
Silverwood collected $38,363 during weekends in September to support local food banks. From left: Darrell Rickard, food bank program manager at Coeur d'Alene Community Action Partnership; Stephanie Sampson, public relations manager at Silverwood Theme Park; and Debbie Love, director of the Bonner Community Food Bank.
Courtesy photo
On weekends in September, Silverwood Theme Park conducted a massive food drive — Community Appreciation Weekends — to raise much-needed funds for food banks in the Inland Northwest.
As an incentive for donating to the cause, guests saved money when they purchased admission online and Silverwood donated $1 per general admission ticket purchased to area food banks.
Silverwood collected $38,363 that will support local food banks, including Athol Food Bank, Post Falls Food Bank, Second Harvest in Spokane, Community Action Partnership in Coeur d’Alene and Bonner Community Food Bank.
“We were able to raise $11,205 more than last year," said Stephanie Sampson, Silverwood public relations manager. "We had a record of over 7,000 more guests visit in September this year, and we are contributing it to the extended summer weather."
The weather must have anticipated the community’s needs. With the price of groceries and rent increasing, alongside the influx of people moving to the area, the food banks are in need of help.
Silverwood is the Northwest’s largest theme park, located in Athol. During the last three decades, Silverwood has spent countless hours ensuring families from all around have a beautiful and memorable place to have fun. It all started with a 1915 steam engine train, and now Silverwood boasts more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions as well as the Boulder Beach Water Park.