About Us
Our Story
Bestowing the Basics is entirely volunteer-driven — board members, program leads, and volunteers. With no paid employees, we are a community-driven entity, devoid of corporate influence, focused on people helping people.
Founded in Athol, Idaho, in January 2022.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
How It Began
Our Story Begins With Corilynne
In late January of 2022, our founder, Corilynne Smith, an Athol resident, started Bestowing the Basics. After twelve solid and consistent years volunteering and advocating for charitable organizations throughout Idaho, it puzzled Corilynne that few, if any resources were readily available within our small, rural community.
Post-pandemic the need was greater, the growth was uncontrollable, God’s timing was best, and Bestowing the Basics was birthed.
Corilynne decided it was time to step away from volunteering for other organizations and create something in Athol, for Athol. She wanted to develop resources and provide aid for her own community, to make things more accessible, available, and attainable for the people around her.
Before Bestowing the Basics even had a name:
120,000 lbs
of food distributed in April and May of 2021 by Corilynne, her family, and close friends
80,000+ lbs
of that handed out directly from the Athol Community Center parking lot
5,000 lbs
of apples distributed with our local food bank in September 2021
Corilynne knows Bestowing the Basics is where it is today because of her faith, her family, her friendships, and her community. She does nothing alone and refuses credit for what God placed on her heart to do.
Who We Are
More Than a Team, a Community
Contrary to past notions, women who genuinely support other women really do exist. At Bestowing the Basics we slowly and carefully built a team of women who celebrate one another and highlight each other’s individual strengths.
We empower, equip, and encourage one another, both personally and professionally. We do not compete; we complement. We aim to make every aspect of what we do feel like sheer and utter joy.
- We call Athol and Kootenai County home
- We come from varying backgrounds and cultures
- We are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends
- We are homemakers, working professionals, advocates, and volunteers
Leadership
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a group of active volunteers who work tirelessly to build a solid foundation for the organization, investing their time, energy, and resources to enrich our communities.
Alex
President
Beth
Treasurer & Fundraising
Jessie
Volunteer Coordinator
Shannon
Resource Center Manager
Cassi
Secretary
Peggy
At-Large
Our Work
What We Actually Do
Five programs, all of them free, all of them run by volunteers.
Supplying the Basics
Free hygiene, household, and cleaning goods at our free distribution every Tuesday at the Resource Center, plus weekly deliveries to the ABC Food Bank.
Feeding the Need
Summer lunches for kids, a monthly community meal, and a 24/7 community pantry in Careywood.
Period Positive Program
Free feminine hygiene pouches and restroom carts across three north Idaho school districts.
Emergency Aid
Limited, case-by-case help for households hit by a fire, job loss, medical bills, or another sudden crisis.
Winter Blessings
Toys, clothing, and shoes for local families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, with the area schools and the ABC Food Bank.
Find Us
Where We Are
We are based in Athol, Idaho, operating out of a small space at 6101 ID-54, Unit B Athol, ID 83801, and we host most of our outreach events at the Athol Community Center.
We serve individuals and families in Athol, Bayview, Careywood, and other small, rural, underserved communities in north Idaho, generally north of Lancaster Road in Hayden and south of the Sandpoint Long Bridge.
Mail reaches us at PO Box 791, Athol, Idaho 83801.
Join Our Team
We are always looking for volunteers in Athol, Bayview, Careywood, and the surrounding areas. There is a place for you here.
Questions? Call us at (208) 561-5050