Share Your Love at Fishline!

 

Share your love this week at Fishline! Surprise your Valentine with a gift given in your name:

- make a donation this week at www.northkitsapfishline.org,
- include a note that includes your Valentine's name and email address
- we will send them an e-card letting them know that a donation was made thinking of them!

North Kitsap Fishline and Kitsap Quilters Begin Commemorative Quilt Project

           

Miss West Sound Megan McCormick poses with our Quilting Project and Fundraiser.

 North Kitsap Fishline and Kitsap Quilters Begin Commemorative Quilt Project

North Kitsap Fishline and Kitsap Quilters will be working together to create a commemorative quilt to be displayed in the lobby of the new Fishline building and at other community events throughout the year.  The quilt will give tribute to Fishline’s growth, recent move, and continued community support throughout the years.

Area individuals, families, organizations and businesses are invited to take part in this project by donating a quilt square that will be incorporated into the commemorative quilt and embroidered with your family, group or business name or logo. 

We are requesting a $100 donation for individuals and families and a $250 donation for businesses for one quilt square.  The handmade 8ft by 10ft quilt will have limited squares available.  

The donations for the quilt will go towards the resource room at North Kitsap Fishline’s new building. This resource room will give clients access to computers, classes, learning materials, and other resources that will allow Fishline to continue to give support, provide opportunity, and ensure success for members of our community in need.

The quilt squares will be offered for sale first to Fishline’s volunteers and community partners, and then available for purchase at www.nkfishline.org. Please contact nkfishline@gmail.com today with questions or to reserve your quilt square today.

Visit our website at www.nkfishline.org or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nkfishline  for details about our programs.

You're Invited to the Poulsbo Farmer's Market Harvest Dinner!

On Sunday, October 6th at 5 pm, the Poulsbo Farmer’s Market will have its annual Harvest Dinner at MorMor in Poulsbo. This is a beautiful, fresh 3-course dinner made with local ingredients and prepared by Chef John Nesby of MorMor. There will also be a silent and live auction with some delightful offerings. We’re looking forward to this annual celebration!

This year, the Farmer’s Market has decided to split its proceeds with Fishline, an extraordinary gesture and a real help to us. If you are interested in attending, the tickets are $75 and can be purchased through Fishline. Please email me at director@nkfishline.org if you want us to reserve a spot for you or friends and family.

 

Empty Bowls Serves a Full Room!

This past Saturday, January 19th, NK Fishline hosted our Empty Bowls Fundraiser during the lunch hour at Gateway Fellowship Hall in Poulsbo.  The event was well attended familiar friends and new faces, we were glad to host them all! 

Guests were invited to choose from hand-painted bowls on tables throughout the room, starting in price at $15.  Then they made their way to the soup line, where they chose from a humble but delicious menu. 

Special thanks to Central Market, who provided the soup.  The menu included Tuscan Vegetable, Chicken & Autumn  Vegetable Tagine, and Chipotle Chili w/ Black Beans. The meal also included warm bread.  On hand to serve the soup were Poulsbo City Council members Linda Berry-Maraist and Ed Stern.

The entertainment for the lunch hour was provided by a group called Time and Tide, a trio of Bainbridge Island singers and guitar players.

The guests included recently crowned Miss Kitsap, Crystal Jimenez, and Miss Silverdale, Jahrielle Davis, pictured here with NK Fishline Executive Director Mary Nader. 

Helping people through the line and on their way to delicious soup were Becky Hall and Nicolle Perisho.

No one seemed to mind waiting in the sometimes long line, especially when they could find others to chat with! 

There was also a silent auction for handmade and painted bowl sets. The auction included bids for items such as a ramen noodle bowl set and large well-crafted fruit bowl, as well as beautiful bowls painted with delicate details like those pictured above.

The turnout was wonderful! Many commented that there were twice as many people in attendance as last year!  Thank you again for coming out to support NK Fishline at this fun community event! 

Special thanks again to Blue Sky Printing and Remington Design for the beautiful posters and donation cards, to Time and Tide for the entertainment, to Gateway Fellowship for allowing us to host the event at the church, and to Central Market for the soup, and especially to the 2013 Empty Bowl painters: 

— The North Kitsap High School pottery class, taught by Rande Anderson. Anderson and his pottery class also participated in the event last year.  
— Attendees of Poulsbo’s Americana Music Festival.
— Bainbridge potter Chris Bristah, who donated 40 bowls.
— Other local artists and galleries, such as Verksted Gallery, and Indi Studio owner Susan Butler.

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!

Breakfast with Fishline: Success!

This past Saturday, October 6th, NK Fishline hosted "Breakfast with Fishline,' a fundraiser featuring Richard Lemieux, author of "Breakfast at Sally's," an uplifting novel about his journey from wealth, to homelessness, to near suicide, and back to life again.  

The event was held at Gateway Fellowship Hall in Poulsbo.  Volunteers welcomed guests at the door.

Over 100 people attended the event.  It was a great turnout!  

The program included a prayer by Pastor Tom Duchemin, of Gateway Church.  Mark Costa, Director of Communications and Development at Gateway introduced NK Fishline Executive Director, Mary Nader spoke briefly about NK Fishline, hunger, and homelessness in our area.  She then introduced Jordan Erickson, Steven Stanton, and Alane Basco-Yu  who spoke about their own experiences with Fishline. 

 

Richard (shown above with Pastor Duchemin) spoke about how he ended up homeless, the "hand up" that the Salvation Army provided for him, and the many hands that helped him in his journey.  He shared his heart touching account of when he was completely hopeless and ready to end his life, his dog Willow saved him. Today there are several  missions and shelters opened in Willow's name.

Rick Lander closed the event, thanking all who attended, the speakers, and especially Richard.  He awarded the winner of the raffle gift basket, who turned around and gifted it to one of the speakers, Jordan! 

Special thanks to Gateway Fellowship Church, Starbucks, Mor-Mor (for the FABULOUS bread pudding!), and Valley Nursery for the edible centerpieces and other decor. As always, thanks to all the volunteers who made this such a successful event! 

"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.

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! 

Poulsbo BrewCrawl to Raise Funds for NK Fishline

Do you have a favorite Poulsbo Brewery? Help them win bragging rights of being Poulsbo's Most Popular Brewery while giving to NK Fishline!

Here's how it works:  

• Pick up your "passport" & raffle ticket for $10 (you can  pick one up at Marina Market, right down the stairs from the food bank or any of the participating breweries).
• Every time you go to your favorite Poulsbo brewery and buy a beer, present this passport and get a stamp.  Each stamp will represent a donation by the brewery to NK Fishline and add to the Most Popular Brewery contest.
• When you get 20 stamps, turn in your passport -- this will be your invitation to the winning brewery's BBQ! 

Read more about this fun-fundraiser at Westsound Beer News!  This event is sponsored by Marina Market and ends on September 3rd.