Join Us for a Big Band Christmas!

Join us on December 8, 2012 from 7pm to 10pm at the Sons of Norway Lodge, located on 18891 Front Street in Downtown Poulsbo for a Big Band Christmas with "Buz Whiteley's Big Band!"

The event is sponsored by North Point Church and all proceeds will benefit NK Fishline.  There will be raffle baskets and refreshments.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/285020 or at the following locations:

Second Seasons Thrift Shop, Poulsbo

Marina Market, Poulsbo

Tickets will also be available at the door!

Giving Doesn't Stop After Thanksgiving!

Remember, holiday giving doesn't stop after Thanksgiving.  Here's a list of different ways you can give during the holiday season:

Holiday Baskets: You put together a holiday dinner for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. We have a list of items and the quantities that can go in the baskets. Just let us know how many families you would like to sponsor. The baskets are brought to Fishline for distribution.

Holiday Food Collection: Perishables such as turkey, ham, celery, pies and rolls, as well as, stuffing, canned yams, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, chicken broth, and aluminum baking pans. We will be collecting items from now until Dec. 15th.

Toy shop: Fishline will again sponsor a toy shop for clients to come and shop for toys for their children. Donations of new toys, books, or games will be accepted. Also keep in mind older kids with donations of gift cards. Gift items may be brought to Fishline up to Dec. 11th.

Adopt a Family:  We also offer the option of adopting out a family for you to provide gifts. We will provide you with the necessary information to make gift buying fun and easy. Last day to adopt a family is Dec. 9th.

Basic Food Collection: This is needed anytime of year. Staples: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, crackers, pasta or rice, toilet paper. The Fishline website lists many more needs.

Monetary donations are always welcome. We will use it to buy food for the baskets and toys for the toy shop. We are also always looking for volunteers to help set up the Toy Shop and pack and distribute the food baskets.

Contact NK Fishline to help with the items above!

Volunteering During the Holidays

Want to volunteer during the holidays? 


Here are some tips to make volunteering during the holidays easier from HandsOnBlog:

• Start Early - Just like doing all of your holiday shopping before the rush of Black Friday makes your holiday gift giving a little bit easier, so will starting a relationship with the nonprofit you want to volunteer at during the holidays as early as possible.  Whether it’s to start volunteering, or to sign up for events during the holiday season, starting a relationship with a nonprofit before the holiday rush will make it easier to volunteer during the holidays.

• Be Realistic About the Time You Can Commit - Lets face it, no matter how well you plan things, something’s going to happen to make your well planned holiday time line fall apart.  When you sign up for that volunteer event, be sure to stick to the amount of time you think you’ll have available.  Don’t try to squeeze in an all day event if you only have a few hours.

• Be Flexible - Your ideal type volunteer opportunity might not be available when you can volunteer.  Use the opportunity to try something that you’ve never done before!  It just might be your new favorite thing.

• Donate - If you can’t find an opportunity to volunteer that fits your schedule and what you want to do, consider taking the time you were going to volunteer and turn it into a donation.  Ask the us what we really need and try to fill that need.  We may have specific projects or items that we are short of, and that may be the best way to contribute.  You’re still supporting the Fishline and its clients, but you’re able to do it at a time and in a way that’s convenient for you.

• Be the Gift That Keeps On Giving - The holidays aren’t the only time that we need volunteers!  Use your holiday volunteering as a springboard for a relationship with the Fishline.

• Include Your Family - Start a tradition of volunteerism at the holidays with your entire family, and carry it through the year.

• Have Fun - This might be the most important part of your holiday volunteering.  Have fun doing it!

NK Fishline Receives Grant from Bank of America

Special thanks to Bank of America, who last week awarded North Kitsap Fishline with a $2500 grant for our Food for Thought Program.

A little bit about Food for Thought:

Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them. At North Kitsap Fishline, we believe that when you feed a child, you nourish their mind.

A healthy child is the goal of families, but it isn’t always easy. Economic pressures and work that takes parents away from the home are just a few factors that might prevent meal planning or access to  healthy food options for children.

Statistics tell us that 1 in 4 area children suffer from hunger on a regular basis. On many days, the free/reduced lunch program at school are the only meals they can depend on. A hungry child has difficulty concentrating, learning and socializing with teachers, friends and peers. This results in a lost opportunity— and a loss for our community.

Fishline recognized this, and in 2009 established its Food for Thought program. By feeding their bodies, we nourish their minds and send a clear message that we believe in our community’s children and their ability to reach their full potential. By assembling easy-to-prepare, child friendly packs for each weekend day, we are able to provide 3 meals a day plus snacks. Hundreds of area children look forward to Friday afternoons when they receive their meal packs, a reminder that we believe in them.

This heartwarming service has been a great success for our community. Schools have come to rely upon it to offer relief to the sad condition of childhood hunger.

“The Bank of America  Charitable Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunity for all in its commitment to our communities.  Providing support to organizations like North Kitsap Fishline, which provide opportunity and improve the quality of life in our communities, is key to our strategy to build capacities that truly make a difference.”

Visit our webpage to learn more about Food for Thought and how you can help. 

Raffle for Two Beautiful Children's Items at Second Season

Second Season is having a raffle for two very nice children's items:

The first is a beautiful wooden dollhouse, complete with furniture and dolls.  This is sure to be a prized gift for any child (or adult!)

The second is a 66 piece wooden trains set, an awesome addition to any collection or a great starter kit!

How to win? 

Tickets are only $1 and can be purchased at Second Season. The raffle will be on December 15th, and you do not have to be present to win! 

Located on the waterfront in downtown Poulsbo -- 18825 Anderson Parkway, directly across from Liberty Bay, Second Season is not your ordinary resale shop.  Stocked with better-quality clothing, accessories and housewares, shopping becomes an adventure when you never know what you will find.  We receive new items every day, so you'll want to shop often.  All profit from the store goes directly to Fishline, in essence a donation to needy families in our community.

Updated Needs List: Here's What You Can Donate!

Want do donate, but not sure how?  Here is an updated list of our current holiday needs.  When you are out and about enjoying all the great holiday sales, please think of NK Fishline and pick up an extra one or two of the following items:

Turkey & Ham 
During the holiday season, we always need turkey and ham.  These perishable donations can be dropped off at Fishline during our business hours, where we have plenty of freezer space to make sure it stays fresh for our clients.  Click here to view our Thanksgiving week hours.

Dinner rolls

We need packaged dinner rolls for Thanksgiving!!! You can drop this perishable donation directly at Fishline during our business hours.  Click here to view our Thanksgiving week hours.

Celery

Celery?  YES! Celery! We have a small shortage of celery this year.  Since it is difficult to freeze for use later, this is a very perishable item and much needed for the upcoming holiday.  You can drop this perishable donation directly at Fishline during our business hours.  Click here to view our Thanksgiving week hours.

Diapers

While diapers aren't necessarily a holiday item -- we do have a shortage!  If you're not sure what to donate -- this is a much needed item.  We are currently in need of sizes 4, 5, & 6! Donations can be dropped off at any of the food drive locations listed on Facebook:  Albertson's, Central Market, or Marina Market -- or directly at the food bank.  Click here to view our Thanksgiving week hours.

FREE Community Meals, Thanksgiving Week

Monday, November 19, 5pm -- St. Olaf's Catholic Church, Poulsbo

Wednesday, November 21, 5pm to 7pm -- Suquamish UCC

Thursday, November 22, Thanksgiving Meals

1pm -- Gateway Fellowship, Poulsbo

2pm -- First Lutheran, Poulsbo

Saturday, November 24, 11:30 to 1pm -- Gateway Fellowship



 

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Thanksgiving Week Hours at Fishline

Please note Fishline's hours next week:

Monday 10am to 3pm (Front Market, No E-boxes)

Tuesday 10am to 3pm (Front Market, No E-boxes)

Wednesday 10am to 5pm (Front Market, No E-boxes)

Thursday CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

Click here for a list of locations where Thanksgiving Meals will be served.

Friday 10am to 1pm (Front Market and E-boxes will be available)

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5000+ Visitors to Our Blog!!

Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, North Kitsap Fishline's blog reached 5000+ views!!  For a fairly new blog that focuses on a very specific community, we consider this quite a milestone!  

On our blog, you will find not only our needs -- but news about Fishline, the North Kitsap community that contributes to Fishline, and the many great accomplishments that make doing what we do so wonderful! 

Thank you so much for reading and we hope you will continue to do so! This is just one of many milestones we have reached in growing our community! 

Please subscribe to our blog to receive our posts directly in your email! 

NK Fishline Toy Shop Now Taking Donations

The North Kitsap Fishline Toy Shop allows parents served by the food bank to personally choose the gifts that would bring the most joy to their children. Santa's elves will assist the parents in making their selections from donated new toys, books, games, and clothing. Items for infants through adolescents are needed. Gift cards are especially appreciated for the older teens.

If you wish to donate new unwrapped toys, books, gift cards, games or clothing, please bring those items to one of the following collection sites no later than December 11th:

Curves​​​​​

Chamber of Commerce ​, 19351 8th Avenue, Ste 108

NK Herald​​​​, 18887 State Hwy 303

1st Security Bank​​​, 19519 7th Avenue

Farmer's Insurance​​​, 19168 - B Jensen Way​

Sport Haus​​​​, 19505 7th Avenue​

Poulsbo Parks and Recreation, ​​19540 Front Street

Poulsbo Fire Station, ​​​911 Liberty Road

First Lutheran Church​​​, 18920 4th Avenue​

Hostmark Apartments​​​

Poulsbo Athletic Club​​​

 

For our clients: sign-ups for the Toy Shop will be taken November 15 - December 6th. Participants must live in Poulsbo or Suquamish and have ID and proof of address.

 

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Making Every Donation Count

Fishline is the recipient of untold expressions of generosity and support.  We are simply a conduit through which your donations are channeled to the hurting neighbors who seek our help. Without the food, monetary and material donations and the efforts of over 225 volunteers,  Fishline would cease to exist.  We acknowledge this every day and feel a sense of responsibility in assuring what has been entrusted to us will be honored, the intentions of our donors followed.

But the question that is asked often is whether the donations get to those most truly in need.  We continually ask ourselves this same question.  The problem comes in arriving upon fair and respectful ways to evaluate client need, both at the time of their first visit and upon subsequent visits. We can assure you that due diligence is taken to measure client need - when financial help is sought, an extensive screening process is undertaken which may include referrals to professional financial counselors who donate their time to help our clients.  Financial help is only available on an infrequent basis and is reserved for local clients. A cap is placed on the amount that can be approved, but often we work with other local agencies if our help is not enough to stabilize the situation.

When it comes to food, it is harder to measure eligibility.  How do we know if an individual or family is so financially strapped that a trip to the grocery store might use up funds needed for the electric bill?  How can we tell if a senior is forced to make the unbearable choice between  food or prescriptions?  A young adult "couch surfing" because they are out of work and homeless may need food from Fishline just to be able to provide for himself in a tenuous, temporary living situation.  The scenarios are as numerous as the individuals who live them.

Of the more than 100 families who visit Fishline every day, the largest majority  receive services  for a short time while life is in transition.  Jobs are landed, problems resolved, and we see these clients less and less. Others stay longer because unemployment lingers or health problems persist. But nearly all of our clients are careful to not take too much so others have enough, and many clients volunteer or donate in other ways to repay the kindness.

Certainly there are those who  could get by without our help.   We try not to let this be our focus, because we know that there are far more who could not get by without Fishline at this time in their lives.  Our doubts melt away when we see how valiantly folks face their difficulties, humble enough to ask for help when it is needed  and so thankful to receive it that tears flow.  These are the moments that keep us going, the gratitude that lets us know a genuine need has been met and the lives that are better because we are there.  

We Need Turkeys!!

Friends, we are reaching out to you for turkey donations!! Last year we were in a bit of a bind with a turkey shortage and in the 11th hour were overwhelmed by a community who came to our rescue with enough to provide turkeys for all the families who had signed up to receive holiday baskets! 

Where can you get a good deal on a turkey? Plenty of places!! Here are some suggestions:

Safeway has turkey on sale for $.99/lb until November 22nd!! 

Albertson's has Butterball brand turkey for $1.79/lb at least until November 13th! 

Walmart and Central Market also have great deals on this much needed item!

We have plenty of freezer space, so don't be shy! Drop your turkeys off at the food bank -- 18916 NE Third Avenue, Poulsbo.  Our hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday -- from 10am to 3pm, and Wednesdays from 10am to 7pm! 

5th Annual Spirit of Giving Event!!

This Saturday from 5 to 9 pm is the 5th Annual Spirit of Giving Event at the Silverdale Grange. The address is 12535 Clear Creek Road NW in Silverdale.  This is a great event for the entire family!!

For admission you can choose one of the following:

A generous bag of non-perishable food for NK Fishline. Click here for some ideas. 

A new and unwrapped toy for our Christmas toy shop drive.

A check made to your favorite charity, including NK Fishline.

Gently used items for Second Season.  (We accept clothing, home decor, small kitchen items, linens, and books in  gently used and excellent condition for resell.)  

It's a potluck, so bring a dish to share.  

There will be dancing, a silent auction, and tons of children’s activities. This is a fun family event! Contact Claudia at 360-697-1960 or by email for more information. 

Wondering About Our Most Needed Items?

While we accept all kinds of donations of foods, at different times of the year, we may have a higher need for specific items.  During this time period -- we are collecting items that may be more needed during the holidays.  Some suggestions are: 


Chicken Broth
Cranberry Sauce
Canned Yams/Sweet Potatoes
Canned Fruits
Canned Vegetables
Stuffing Mix
Pork and Beans
Peanut Butter
Cereal
Progresso/Hearty Soups
Boxed Meals
Mayonnaise
Vegetable Oil
Coffee
Tea

Donations of ham and turkey are also accepted directly at the food bank! 

Local groceries are having wonderful sales on these items right now! Many thanks to you always for your continued support of you NK Fishline! Without your generous donations, we could not continue to do the work we do supporting our neighbors!! 

Don't Miss This Weekend's Community Events!!

Photo Courtesy of Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce

On Thursday, (tonight) November 8 First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo will host a community dinner between 5-6pm. This is a weekly event. All are welcome. 

Also tonight, Kitsap Community Resources will be hosting a seminar called "Identity Theft and Predatory Lending" at 1201 Park Ave., Bremerton.  Protect yourself and your family from those who would hurt your economic standing or prey upon your vulnerability.  Learn how in this seminar offered by American Financial Solutions, 5:30 to 7 pm. 

On Saturday,  November 10, 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. 

Don't forget:  we will be accepting registrations to receive holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas at the food bank from now until November 14!! 

Weekend food drives for NK Fishline include:

The Royal Rangers will be hosting a food drive at Central Market all day Saturday and Sunday. 

Pacific Northwest Title will wrap up their food drive with a big push at Safeway in Silverdale from 9am to 5pm Saturday. 

Forest Rock Hills Food Drive in Poulsbo will be held this Saturday -- Neighborhood pick ups will start at 10am!! 

This Saturday from 5 to 9 pm is the 5th Annual Spirit of Giving Event at the Silverdale Grange, address is 12535 Clear Creek Road NW in Silverdale.  

Admission:  A generous bag of non-perishable food for NK Fishline. or other donations like a new, unwrapped toy or a check made out to your favorite charity, or Second Season donations. It's a potluck, so bring a dish to share.  There will be dancing, a silent auction, and tons of children’s activities. This is a fun family event! Contact Claudia at 360-697-1960 or by email for more information. 

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

Fishline Celebrates November's Community Partner: Albertsons in Poulsbo

This month's community partner is Albertsons grocery store.  Last year, Albertsons donated 102,780 pounds of produce, dairy, baked goods and meat for Fishline's front market and monthly E-boxes.  This year, they have already donated 104,523 pounds!

During the holidays, this longtime supporter is an integral part of the Fishline community, helping with various much needed items.  They also donated two buggies for our new and improved front market.  In the summers, Albertsons allow us to utilize the parking area to stage our "Donation Station" -- where we collect donations of food for Fishline, as well as clothing and household items for Second Season.  Throughout the year, and especially through the holidays, they show their support by permitting several civic groups to gather food donations outside their doors.  

The Albertsons staff is always friendly and helpful when we pick up grocery rescue items.  They are always accommodating when it comes to our needs.  We are so appreciative of their continued generosity!

Register Now for Your Holiday Food Basket!

Now that we're thru Halloween, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is about to begin!

NK Fishline is now accepting registration to receive your Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday food baskets.  Recipients should live or work in Poulsbo, Keyport, or Suquamish.  You should sign up to be a client when you sign up for the basket.  We are accepting registration for the holiday food baskets until November 14th at the food bank.

Also, we are also accepting donations of holiday items! Ham, turkey, canned vegetables, stuffing, etc. at the food bank and a number of locations, including Marina Market, Poulsbo Recreation Center, Albertson's, and Central Market.