Thursday, September 27, 2012

Employment Meet & Greet

Please join us from September 24 - 28 and October 1 - 5 for our first annual Employment Meet & Greet.

This is an opportunity to ask questions of job resource and educational agenices such as WorkSource, Soundworks, Coffee Oasis, Olympic College and Express Personnel.

These job service providers have offered to share their program information with NK Fishline and our clients.  They will be available to provide any tips to help you in your job search efforts.

This is not a job fair, but rather an informal meet and greet opportunity to boost your knowledge about all that is available to you or your family members in regards to finding work.

Tomorrow (Friday, September 28th) Coffee Oasis will be available from 10am to 1pm.  Next Wednesday, October 3, Workfirst will be available from 10am to 11am.  We will have more agencies available and will announce the days and times when we have this information.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

How to Have A Successful Food Drive!




NK Fishline is very grateful when a business decides to hold a food drive.  Thanks to the efforts of businesses and organizations in our area, we can provide nourishment to hundreds of area families in their time of need.

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about holding a food drive. These answers can help you hold a successful event:

What is the best time to hold a food drive?

We are glad for food donations any time. Our inventory of food tends to get low from March through April and again late in the summer.

What items are most needed by Fishline?

Canned goods, boxed meals, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce are all popular and needed provisions for our clients. But we also accept fresh fruits and vegetables, so if you have an abundance of zucchini or apples from your garden, bring them to us - we’d love to offer them to our clients.  Click here for a list of our most needed items. 

(If you would like a bookmark-sized list you can hand out to neighbors in preparation for the food drive, email director@nkfishline.org and we’ll send it to you.)

What items cannot be accepted by Fishline?

We are not allowed to accept anything that has been opened. As well, we cannot take home-made items. But if food items are recently expired, we still may be able to accept and distribute them depending on the type of food, so go ahead and include them and we’ll dispose of them if they can’t be used.

Should we let Fishline know of the drive before it happens?

We are always glad to know of these events in advance, because we want to collaborate with you in assuring its success. Please use this handy form when coordinating a food drive with NK Fishline:  Food Drive Form. 

We can:

 Assist you in planning based on our experience over the years
 Provide printed materials for your use, including our logo, banners and signs
 Advertise your event on our web site, social media and newsletter
 Provide barrels for your use
 Arrange pickup of the food if you can’t deliver it.


Often, food drives are meant to encourage general donations of non-perishables. But don’t feel limited by this—you can try different ways of gathering donations that help specific groups of people.

For instance:
  • Hold a drive to collect items needed for our Food for Thought Program.  
  • Pet food/treats drive
  • Packs of individually wrapped items that can be distributed to homeless clients.
  • Toiletries and other essentials needed for families living in shelters.
  • Fresh items from your neighborhood gardens donated during the summer and early fall.
Food drives can be a great team building activity for your business, organization, or community group.  Above all, work together and have fun! 



Food for Thought Shopping List



Use the Handy Shopping List Below When Collecting Items for the Food for Thought Program.  All must be individual single servings, must be microwave or pop-top.


Beverages

o Swiss Miss
o Juice Box (100% Juice)
Meals
o Easy Mac
o Cereal box -- single serving size
o Cup o' Noodle
o Chicken (pre-prepared single meals w/ crackers)
o Chef Boyardee

Snacks

o Cracker sandwiches -- cheese or peanut butter
o Fruit Snacks
o Raisin Box
o Pudding Cup
o Applesauce Cups
o Granola Bars (Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter)
o Pop Tarts
o Trail Mix, Individual Pack

Shopping Guide of Most Needed Items


Use this handy shopping guide when deciding what to donate to NK Fishline or when preparing for a food drive:


Most Needed Items

o Canned Fruits (peaches and pears)
o Canned Soups
o Canned Vegetables
o Peanut Butter
o Boxed Meals (Augratin potatoes, Hamburger Helper, etc.)
o Diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6)
o Pork and beans


Other Often Needed Items

o Refried Beans
o Boxed Cereal
o Jams/Jellies
o Ramen Noodles
o Evaporated Milk
o Tomato/Spaghetti Sauce
o Tuna
o Mayonnaise
o Vegetable oil
o Coffee
o Tea
o Mayonnaise
o Vegetable oil
o Coffee
o Tea
o Ketchup
o Mustard
o Instant Hot Chocolate

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Community Events, Week of September 17

Image source:  Wikipedia
Tonight, September 18 -- Kitsap Community Resources presents "The Psychology of Spending" -- Learn the hidden influences on spending and how to have a healthy approach by learning from Kitsap Credit Union presenters, 5:30 to 7 pm.  Note that this will be at the new South Kitsap Site, 3200 SE Rainshadow Crt, Port Orchard, WA.

On Wednesday, September 19Suquamish Church of Christ will host a community dinner between 5-7pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

On Thursday, September 20, First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo will host a community dinner between 5-6pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

On Saturday, September 22, Gateway Fellowship Church in Poulsbo will also host a community lunch, from 11:30 to 1pm. This is a weekly event and all are welcome. 

This weekend, September 22 & 23, North Kitsap Soccer will be hosting their annual food drive at each of their game locations throughout the day. Bins for food donation will be available at Strawberry Field, North Kitsap HS Stadium, Kingston Middle School, and Wolfe Elementary.  

Donation Station: Don't forget -- on Saturday, the Fishline van will be at Albertson's in Poulsbo to collect food and clothing donations from 11am to 1pm. This is a weekly event until October.  

Planning ahead:  Richard Lemieux, the author of Breakfast at Sally's will be the main speaker at Breakfast with Fishline on October 6, 9 to 10:30am at the Gateway Fellowship Hall, Gateway Church in Poulsbo.  In addition, former clients of Fishline will also talk about their experiences with Fishline services.  A modest breakfast will be provided.

Tickets available NOW at Fishline, Second Season, or Marina Market. 
$20 - General Admission
$10 - Seniors and Students
$ 5 - Fishline Clients

Read more on this event here. 
Contact NK Fishline to add your event to our calendar! Want to plan ahead? Visit our website to review the events calendar.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: In Her Own Words

The economy hit a major low, and I was feeling depressed about how it was affecting so many people, myself included. That's when I remembered my parents saying "Don't think about yourself, serve others and you'll feel better in no time." That statement is so true, and I became a North Kitsap Fishline food bank volunteer. 
I work as a volunteer sorting produce and placing the chosen produce in the market for our clients. As a produce sorter, we are trained to present the best possible products to our clients on a daily basis. We also fill the request for emergency boxes, that include various items clients receive once each month. 
Being a volunteer has been most rewarding. I work with a group of wonderful people who spend their time at Fishline filled with laughter and work. Working with these ladies weekly creates a strong and positive environment that seems to keep all of us coming back. This is the feeling all the volunteers and staff generate. 
Fishline is truly "Neighbors Helping Neighbors". When I am through volunteering for the day, I feel truly thankful and grateful for all the fine, hard-working people who make up this organization and the opportunity to participate.
Written by Carmen Hassold, Tuesday Volunteer

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? Click here to visit our online application or email our volunteer coordinator.



Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sponsor a Child: Be a Backpack Friend


You can be a very special part of a child's life -- by becoming a Backpack Friend, you can assure local children the nutrition they need.  Read more about the Food for Thought program here.

 Click here to sponsor a child for one month: $25
 Click here to sponsor a child for one semester: $100
 Click here to sponsor a child for one year: $250
 Click here to commit to a one month-long sponsorship for an entire school : $1000
 Click here to make a donation in any amount to the Food for Thought program.


When asked to enter "special instructions", you can let us know that you would like to sponsor a child and if you would like to let the child you are helping know of your support by name, or remain anonymous. Either way, you will gain the satisfaction of knowing you have helped a child grow into his/her potential and invested in a community where all have the basics of life.

You can also mail your donation to NK Fishline, 18916 NE Third Ave, Poulsbo, WA  98370.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

"Breakfast at Sally's" Author to Speak on October 6th


"One day, Richard LeMieux had a happy marriage, a palatial home, and took $40,000 Greek vacations. The next, he was living out of a van with only his dog, Willow, for company. This astonishingly frank memoir tells the story of one man's resilience in the face of economic disaster. Penniless, a failed suicide, estranged from his family, and living "the vehicular lifestyle" in Washington state, LeMieux chronicles his journey from the Salvation Army kitchens to his days with "C"—a philosopher in a homeless man's clothing—to his run-ins with Pastor Bob and other characters he meets on the streets. Along the way, he finds time to haunt public libraries and discover his desire to write. 
LeMieux's quiet determination and his almost pious willingness to live with his situation are only a part of this politically and socially charged memoir. The real story of an all-too-common American condition, this is a heartfelt and stirring read."

Richard Lemieux, the author of Breakfast at Sally's will be the main speaker at Breakfast with Fishline on October 6, 9 to 10:30am at the Gateway Fellowship Hall, Gateway Church in Poulsbo.  In addition, former clients of Fishline will also talk about their experiences with Fishline services.  A modest breakfast will be provided.

Tickets available at Fishline, Second Season, or Marina Market.
$20 - General Admission
$10 - Seniors and Students
$ 5 - Fishline Clients

This book is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Nobles in Silverdale.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Poulsbo Kids Day


Join Fishline on the third annual Poulsbo Kid's Day for a fun lunch of hot dogs, chips, and a coke for $4.  Additional hot dogs are only $2.  The event will be held in the College Marketplace (near the Home Depot parking lot) on Saturday, September 15th 10am – 3pm.  
It will be a full day of family fun with food, games, prizes and more.
  • See what the City Parks and Recreation Dept has to offer (i.e. gymnastics)!
  • Get creative at the Home Depot® craft booth!
  • Have a blast at the bike rodeo obstacle course!
  • All things safety: bike helmet fittings, car seat inspections and Internet safety how-to's.
  • Explore real fire trucks and police cars – even a police boat!
  • Pet adoptions through the Humane Society®.
  • Free electronic fingerprinting and DNA kits!
  • Help your community: donate 3 non-perishable food items or make a cash donation to the "Food for Thought" program
  • Meet McGruff, the crime fighting dog
  • See K-9 Unit demonstrations (attack and take-down)
  • Have your face painted
  • Play with the “Caring Clowns”

Community Events, Week of September 10

On Wednesday, September 12Suquamish Church of Christ will host a community dinner between 5-7pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

On Thursday, September 13, First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo will host a community dinner between 5-6pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

Also on Thursday, Kitsap Community Resources and American Financial Solutions is offering a free seminar called "Bankruptcy Facts:  Separating Fact from Fiction." This helpful seminar will be held between 5:30 and 7pm at 1201 Park Avenue, Bremerton.  

On Saturday, September 8, Gateway Fellowship Church in Poulsbo will also host a community lunch, from 11:30 to 1pm. This is a weekly event and all are welcome. 

Also on Saturday, Poulsbo Kids Day will be held at the Home Depot Parking Lot.  Join 1st Security Bank and the businesses from Olhava in the College Marketplace for the 3rd annual Poulsbo Kids Day from 10am to 3pm.  It will be a full day of family fun with food, games, prizes, and more.  We will be collecting canned food for NK Fishline as well as donations for our Food for Thought program. 

Donation Station: Don't forget -- on Saturday, the Fishline van will be at Albertson's in Poulsbo to collect food and clothing donations from 11am to 1pm. This is a weekly event until October.

Contact NK Fishline to add your event to our calendar! Want to plan ahead? Visit our website to review the events calendar.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Message from the Director: Food for Thought

One of the nice improvements of our new front market is that families can now shop together. It is heartwarming to watch families receive the food they need, shopping together and deciding together. Since it's summer, the children often come along now - we have popsicles in the freezer for just this reason. You can't tell by watching them as they happily fill their baskets, but state and national statistics tell us that 1 out of 4 of these children will not eat regularly or nutritiously, the definition of food insecurity.

Often, children don't tell us when they're hungry. But there are signs that are easy to see. School staff witness the sad reality of hungry children every day. They know a child is hungry because he or she rushes to lunch, often lingering with hope for more, they hoard their food or seem listless and unenergetic. Sometimes diabetic children go without mid-day snacks, a dangerous prescription for lethargy or worse. This may come about because of family economics, parents busy working and not organizing meals for their children, or just simply as a result of neglect. But whatever the reason, we as a community must do everything we can to feed our children. The risk of not doing so is obvious and unthinkable.

In 2009, North Kitsap Fishline started a program called Food for Thought. When children were referred by school counselors, they could receive a pack of easy-to-prepare, child-friendly food items enough to last the weekend. They were delivered discretely by school staff so the children could receive their food without embarrassment. The program was an instant success - within 2 years, enrollment was at 188 children, spanning ages of 5 through 18. As impressive as this number is, it is only a fraction of the 2,200 children who are on free/reduced-lunch programs in this School District, an indication of extremely low income and possibly, food insecurity.

This a mandate for our community. We must reach out to every child who suffers from hunger and make sure they have enough food to thrive, to be healthy and to learn. As we enter into a new school year, Fishline will focus on childhood nutrition, improving the pack components to be of the healthiest ingredients and work with the schools to make sure every child who needs our help will receive it. We'd also like to expand our program to include school day snacks, a possibility with your help.

You can support this program by making a donation at one of the links on our sidebar or by writing "Food for Thought" on the notes field of your check. In a program we are introducing, you can be a sponsor, with an opportunity to have an anonymous relationship with a child who will benefit from your concern - our web site has details.

We're already making great progress toward a community free from want, but we have work ahead and by working together, our progress will continue.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Fishline Celebrates September's Community Partner: Poulsbo Lions

When our community gathered recently to memorialize Garvin Tootle, Fishline's respected Operations Manager, a striking display of red and gold was everywhere. In an honoring gesture, the Poulsbo Lions had tshirts made up that celebrated Garvin and his relationship with Fishline, the Lions and our community. The Poulsbo Lions had also taken on the arrangement of the facilities for Garvin's memorial, and in fine Lions style, quietly and perfectly constructed a setting that will linger long in the minds of those who attended.

This is just one of many, many ways that the Poulsbo Lions group has helped Fishline. For years, some of our most demanding jobs, such as retrieving grocery items from Central at 5 am, have been taken on by members of the Lions community. They volunteer, they raise money and they rally when there is a need, as they have been doing so for many years.

Aside from assisting helping agencies like Fishline, the Lions also help with prescription glasses and hearing aids, a very needed service since many insurance policies do not include it. Because they are so quiet about their accomplishments, many do not realize all that they do to help our community. But Fishline is grateful for this partnership.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Fall Fundraiser



A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her in amazement. 
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, "Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can't save all these starfish. You can't begin to make a difference!" The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, "Well, I made a difference to that one!" 
Inspired, the man joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. 
-- adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren C. Eiseley

Dear Friends,

The familiar starfish story often comes to our minds at Fishline. In a time of unparalleled growth, when we are providing food and emergency services to over 100 families a day while new clients come to us at the rate of 3 to 5 per day, it may seem that we will never get ahead of the need. But no matter how long the line might be, our goal is to offer hope and security, one individual or one family at a time. Though each circumstance is different, each story unique, we all share a desire to be treated with respect and compassion and to know we are not alone.

For more than 45 years, Fishline remains the first place troubled North Kitsap neighbors go to on their road to stabilization. More than a food bank, we now offer an array of services accessible through our partnerships with agencies throughout the county. But our greatest success, in my opinion, is our ability to listen to the needs of our neighbors and find ways to help. To that end, Fishline has been busy this year, strengthening our current programs and adding new services that we've learned are needed. Here's a recap, but you can check our website for a full description of programs, services and financials:



Front Market
 Over 100,000 lbs. distributed each month
 Offers a variety of fresh, nutritious products
 Growing 20% each year since 2008
 Remodeled to look and feel like a grocery store
Emergency Services

Helped over 600 families last year with:
 Rent or mortgage
 Electric or water bills
 Emergency housing for homeless
 Clothing, medical co-pays and transportation assistance


Children and Senior Services
 Nearly 200 children received weekend meals through Food for Thought program in 2011/2012.
 Grocery Delivery Service initiated in 2012 for homebound seniors
 Provide backpacks filled with school supplies to hundreds of local children each September


Additional Services
 Holiday programs helped 700 families last year
 Second Season sells donated items to contribute $10,000 each month for client care
 Seminars on employment, nutrition and financial guidance planned in 2012
 Plans are underway for a Home Share program linking homeowners' spare rooms with screened clients needing low-cost housing options.


Fishline goes to its community to ask for donations only once a year. This year, local business partners have come together to provide additional grant money based upon how much we raise during this campaign, now through October. Your donation will go further than it ever has, thanks to this special partnership. Money we raise will not only support our regular programs but will provide school supplies, holiday meals, toys for Christmas and help for the homeless during the coldest time of the year. If you like, you can earmark your donation for a specific program such as homeless support, Food for Thought, our holiday programs or any of the special programs listed on our web page. Simply note it on your check or when you make your online donation. Remember, 96% of every dollar you donate will go directly to those in need, a percentage independently verified by the State of Washington.

Will your donation make a difference? We'll answer that question with another story, this one a little closer to home. Recently, a new client was putting food she had received from Fishline into her car, and she was crying. When another client asked her if she was OK, she responded, "I'm just overwhelmed. It's such a relief knowing we'll have enough food. I didn't know help like this was available." These beautiful moments happen often at Fishline, reminders of our ability to make a difference in the lives of our hard-working, courageous neighbors. Your donation will allow us to keep this progress going, and together we will assure a caring and compassionate community for all.

In gratitude for your support of the Fishline Mission,
Mary Nader, Executive Director

Our thanks to these 2012 Matching Funds Partners

“Fishline fills an important need in our North Kitsap community, and it is a well-managed charity. We are sure that our contribution is going to people with a genuine need.”

“We give because it goes directly to help the folks right here in our own community.”

“Neighbors helping neighbors is a goal that we personally support with Fishline.”

“We are longtime supporters of Fishline. It is our way of giving back to the community that has been so supportive of us.”

“We support Fishline because they are all about the common good."

Check out our sidebar to find three easy ways to give! 





Community Events, Week of September 3

Historic Downtown Poulsbo
On Wednesday, September 5Suquamish Church of Christ will host a community dinner between 5-7pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

On Thursday, September 6, First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo will host a community dinner between 5-6pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

On Friday, September 7 Gateway Fellowship Church in Poulsbo will also host a community dinner, from 6 to 8pm. This is a monthly event and all are welcome. 

On Saturday, September 8, Gateway Fellowship Church in Poulsbo will also host a community lunch, from 11:30 to 1pm. This is a weekly event and all are welcome. 

Donation Station: Don't forget -- on Saturday, the Fishline van will be at Albertson's in Poulsbo to collect food and clothing donations from 11am to 1pm. This is a weekly event until October.

Contact NK Fishline to add your event to our calendar! Want to plan ahead? Visit our website to review the events calendar.