Village is Making a New Home Become a Reality

Photo Credit:  Nichole Connor

There is a popular adage, "It takes a village", that reminds us that there are some goals that cannot be reached alone. This has always been the case for Fishline, whose mission would be impossible to realize were it not for the legions of helping hands and hearts that everyday come together to lift the burdens of their neighbors. 

But that cooperative effort has risen to a new level as we prepare our new facility on Viking Avenue. From the start, the best and brightest in our community have come forward to offer assistance, services, materials and sweat equity. Nearly every day, individuals and organizations join the ranks of this rehabilitation army and, before our very eyes, an abandoned building is transforming. School kids join with local military groups, working side-by-side with families and church groups with one thing in common - a love for their community and a belief in the good work that Fishline represents.

Miles Yanick and Associates, Architect, has helped us put our dream onto paper and has gone ahead to pave the way with permits, regulations and feasibility. Sandy Wenberg donated her color expertise to help us create a color palate that is soothing for our clients and volunteers. Peninsula Paints has donated all the paint, no small donation when considering the tall walls that surround our market, and Chad Lyons Painting has donated the labor. Swift Plumbing will put in all our fixtures for free, which came to us at no cost because Ferguson Plumbing donated them.

And, in a nearly perfect confluence of events, a total remodel of Town and Country on Bainbridge Island will mean that Fishline can receive repurposed refrigeration and shelving and even possibly checkout equipment, making our grocery store design complete.
 
When we asked that technology be upgraded so we could use a progressive digital signage system to keep our clients informed while shopping, David Graves, our long-time IT volunteer, joined forces with a local Rotarian to fund the system and get it installed. And, when in the midst of all this activity, our precious van needed extensive repairs, Ken's Northwest Automotive did what they have done for years - they fixed it for free.

The Poulsbo Lions Club worked alongside Fishline volunteers to clear out years of scotch broom and other uninvited guests to renew the greenery. Hill Moving has donated pallet jacks and a forklift, standing ready to help us move when the time comes. And Tim Ryan Construction has overseen the project, donating materials and labor while working with our team to do the most work for the littlest cost. 

All of this coordination has been orchestrated by our MVP, Rick Lander (pictured above with a volunteer), who has masterfully and amiably mediated between Fishline and a sometimes baffling construction world to facilitate this huge project, keeping us on schedule and under budget.

In dozens of ways, our neighbors have come together to situate Fishline in a home that should meet its needs for decades to come. There is no way that we can adequately thank all those who have helped thus far and those who will help us in the months and years ahead. We just hope that, when we open Fishline on that happy day this Spring, our village can be proud that it made it possible.





Are you interested in being a part of this wonderful project? Click here to see project updates and how you can help!




how folks can get involved.)

We Need Volunteers!! Can you help?!

There are several volunteer positions open at this time – please let us know if you or someone you know might be interested in helping us fill them.  You can fill out a volunteer application online by clicking here.

Drivers: Take on a single grocery store run or be a substitute.  All that’s needed is a clean driving record (less than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years).  Up early anyway?  Be a substitute for this early run!

Receptionists:  An ability to work well with clients and be comfortable with light computer work will make you the perfect receptionist.  We’ll train you so you’re able to fill in when there’s an opening.

Check-out: This is an opportunity to get to know our clients and see how happy they are to receive our help…we have a temporary opening on Monday mornings and a need for substitutes to fill in.

Food prep: We are light on Wednesday mornings and Mondays.  If you can help us either of those days, we’d be grateful.

Saturday at Second Season: It’s a busy day, so you’ll be able to enjoy being a part of this downtown boutique experience at its best. 

Thanks to you all for keeping us moving and serving.

A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers As We Celebrate ONE YEAR of Fishbucks!

On July 16, 2012, our new Fishbucks Front Market was launched. After 6 weeks of intense evaluation, planning and coordination, the front doors opened and clients entered an entirely different shopping experience. Picking up a shopping basket, they strolled through the widened aisles and took their time wisely spending the new Fishbucks currency. They noticed the sales on the cool black dry-erase board, they enjoyed seeing the food beautifully displayed and smiled when they saw the prices written on the cooler doors.

 
Right from the start, we knew we had a winning system. Clients immediately expressed their appreciation at the fairness of the system, knowing more food would be available later in the day because no one could take too much. The relief they felt in not having people question their food choices or limit their options was evident on their faces - clients just looked like they were enjoying shopping. Families could shop together and whenever they needed to, another improvement. When we won the 2013 Food Lifeline Award for Client Excellence for our Fishbucks system, it was another confirmation that we were moving in the right direction.

 

We could have never guessed that the system would work so well right from the start without any significant modifications. But the thorough planning of our Fishbucks team combined with the resourcefulness of staff and volunteers has made it possible for adjustments to be made without interruption for our clients.

Many thanks to all those involved in bringing this idea into reality. Our Fishbucks team worked hard and with great dedication to plan and implement this new distribution model. Their thoughts were always on the client experience, and it shows. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to all the volunteers who rolled with the new system, even though it takes more work to price items and keep the food flowing all day. And all along the way, little improvements were made to smooth out the wrinkles, like wonderful new laminated price tags, a new system to attach them and a clever box of little drawers that hold similar price tags together, improvements made by the volunteers.

Congratulations to you on this anniversary, and thanks to all of you for your unwavering commitment to the service of those who need our help. You are a treasure and a reminder that love and goodness is alive and well in this community.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our Fishline staff, --Mary

NK Fishline's Grocery Delivery Service in Need of Volunteers!

Meet Kathy Lacey and Michael Aldrich, who have a very special volunteer job at NK Fishline.  Kathy and Michael deliver groceries from our front market to our home bound clients.  They organize, collect, and sort food items from our daily front market for delivery to pre-selected clients in need, once a week.  This is no easy task!

Our grocery delivery service screens clients who may be home bound temporarily or permanently due to illness or disability.  The program also considers clients who are seniors that don't drive. 

Kathy and Michael are up to ten deliveries per week!

We have several clients on a waiting list for this much needed service.  When we have more volunteers who can make deliveries, we will be able to do more of the good work that Kathy and Michael do.  Are you up to the task?  We are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to make house calls! 

Contact Jackie, our volunteer manager or fill out a volunteer application today!

Happy Retirement Party for Gavin!

On Feb 1st, friends and volunteers of NK Fishline got together to wish Gavin a happy retirement! The group celebrated at Tisley's Europub to thank Gavin for his services and wish him well! 

It's time likes these that we are reminded that the NK Fishline team is very much a community of supportive friends and family.  Gavin announced his retirement in the first week of January.  We will miss him!

"From Biopsy to Bell" -- A Heartfelt Letter from Camille Meyers

From Biopsy to Bell

My journey started the last week of September, 2012.  My wonderful Fishline family celebrated its annual  thank you dinner for the volunteers.  I asked if I could share a presentation of the 31 years I was blessed to give to Fishline Food Bank and Thrift Shop.  Union Bank then put a wonderful display about Fishline and a write-up of my years at Fishline at the entrance of the Bank. 

This journey took a bump in the road for me.  The biopsy showed a cancerous tumor on the side of my tongue.  Wow!!  Why me!?!  The preparation, the treatments, radiation every day.  Chemo one day a week.  The loving dedication of the medical staff.  The not knowing if I'm willing, the learning processes of cancer.  I'm in the middle of my journey.

With my family, children, grandchildren and Fishline family beside me, Saturday night, January 26, 2013 at Kiana Lodge, I received a beautiful award as 2012 Volunteer of the Year from the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce.

I'm waiting to ring that Bell at the end of my treatment, ringing the sound loud and clear - the bump in the journey is over. 

I cannot ever thank my family, friends and Fishline family for all the love and support they have shown me every day. 

With loving support to all of the people also taking their journey,
 

Camille Meyers

 

Would You Like to Be a Driver for NK Fishline?

Are you available on Thursday and Friday mornings?  We are currently looking for a volunteer driver(s) to handle our local grocery store pick-ups on these days.  The commitment would start at 7am and take approximately an hour for pick up, delivery, and unload at Fishline. 

Please note:  The driver would need to have a clean driving record and will be reviewed by our insurance company.  The process does take a few days, so please contact us soon! 

If you are interested, please contact our new Volunteer Manager, Jackie, with your details!

Camille Meyers Named Volunteer of the Year by Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce

Camille Meyers named Volunteer of the Year

Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce chose our own Camille Meyers as the Volunteer of the Year, and presented the award to her on Saturday night at its annual President’s Gala Ceremony at Kiana Lodge. This is a remarkable recognition of the over 30 years of dedication Camille has shown toward her community.

Camille expressed her love of her volunteering with her own words when accepting the award: “In these many years of service, I’ve loved every minute of it. Helping people is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

We are so proud of Camille and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition!

Executive Director Mary Nader and Camille Meyers

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NK Fishline Accepting Applications for Our Volunteer Coordinator Position

NK Fishline is currently accepting applications for the Volunteer Coordinator position. Please read the job description below.  If you are interested, please print and fill out the attached application and submit it by mail to NK Fishline, 18916 NE Third Ave, Poulsbo, WA 98370.  Please contact the Executive Director, Mary Nader, with any questions.

Volunteer Coordinator Job Description

NATURE OF WORK:  This is administrative work securing and training volunteers for the food bank and the thrift, and coordinating volunteer service time and schedules.  Position is based on a 30 hour work week.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Develops and implements recruiting methods to obtain volunteers for the food bank and the thrift shop; recruits volunteers to assure there are sufficient volunteers available at all times.

Orients new volunteers to Fishline in general and to their specific duties. 

Obtains replacement volunteer(s) to work for absent volunteer(s) or for special projects.

Prepares and maintains schedule of volunteer work assignments; posts schedule weekly; makes changes to schedule, as necessary.

Keeps volunteers informed of Fishline policies/procedures, information needed to perform the work and keep abreast of daily events, happenings and plans.

Utilizes recognition and awards to maintain high level of motivation and appreciation of volunteers.

Provides work assignments to and oversees community service workers; tracks hours worked and provides information to court(s), as required.

Acts as agency liaison to volunteer organizations such as, but not limited to, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Volunteers of America, and Kitsap Community Resources Jobs Program.

Ensures that volunteer drivers are listed as drivers on the Fishline insurance policy.

Maintains files on all volunteer, including accurate emergency contact information. 

Maintains and prepares a report of individual volunteer time worked; prepares other reports as requested by the Executive Director.

Ensures that incident reports are completed and reviewed following every volunteer injury or untoward event.

Plans and organizes volunteer appreciation events.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:  Position reports to the Executive Director.   Employee may coordinate certain aspects of volunteer training and/or assignment with Operations Managers. 

DESIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS OR ABILITIES:  Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.  Ability to initiate and maintain working relationships with a variety of persons including volunteers, representatives of government agencies, and local community service organizations.  Knowledge of volunteer utilization in a social service or non-profit agency.    Ability to work productively with persons of all backgrounds and ethnicities.  Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare reports.   Ability to work independently.  Ability to develop volunteer recruitment methods and to develop programs or procedures to guide a large volunteer staff.   Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   High school diploma plus at least one year of college-level classes in the provision of social services.  Two years working with or as a volunteer in a non-profit client services agency.  Additional experience may be substituted for the post-high school education.  Prior experience in volunteer management highly preferred. 


 

Thank You Gavin!

After a year of extraordinary service to Fishline as Volunteer Manager, Gavin Watt has decided to really retire and will be leaving at the end of January.

We would like to thank Gavin for being such a dedicated manager and contributing his skills and talents to our organization.  The position of Volunteer Manager requires a 24/7 commitment.  Gavin has kept us staffed and organized with grace and perseverance, and we will miss him!

Our next post will include details about the Volunteer Coordinator position.

What Does A Facebook "LIKE" Mean to NK Fishline?

Facebook is such an incredible sharing tool. The social media service recently launched a campaign, emphasizing the different ways that Facebook connect us:  chairs are like Facebook, bringing people together around a dinner table, living room, sharing meals and chats; cake is like Facebook, bringing people together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other events.  Time and time again, it demonstrates how people all over the world can influence and change others lives, just with a simple "SHARE."

At NK Fishline, we would like to encourage you to not only "Like" our page, but to share it as well.  When sharing our message, not only are you supporting NK Fishline, you are also sharing a message that may reach those that can utilize and benefit the most from the services that we offer.

Currently, we have 200 "likes" on our page.  If each of these people shared our page with their friends, family, and community -- suddenly, those 200 people in our online community have utilized their own Facebook pages as billboards of information that could help others. 

Recent changes have made Facebook for business and group pages a little different. Did you know that "liking" a page doesn't guarantee that you will see our posts if you don't visit our page often?

Here's how can you make sure you see all of our announcements after "liking" our page:

When you hover over "like", click on "Get notifications" & Show in News Feed" so that you continue to see our posts. When you see the check marks, you have turned on these options.

It's fun to share cute pictures and updates, especially to our friends and family.  But when you share NK Fishline's Facebook page or one of our announcements, you are sending out a message that could change someone's day, week, month or life.  Not only do we solicit volunteers, donations, and support for our food drives -- we also send out announcements about free community meals, Holiday meals, and information about the resources we offer and help we provide -- including our front market and emergency resources for families in need.

We hope you will not only join our online communities, but share them with others as well.   Click here to join us on Facebook, and here to follow us on Twitter.

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!

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.

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Fishline's Volunteer Manager Becomes Official

When Gavin Watt officially became Fishline's Volunteer Manager on August 1, many Fishline insiders were surprised. Gavin has been doing this job since the first of this year, but most didn't know that he was doing so as a volunteer. When he stepped down from his role on the Fishline Board in July, he was able to become part of the paid staff, which we are happy about as he has been working so hard in service to Fishline.

Gavin is a self-effacing man, so you don't hear much about the rich and interesting history that is his story. He was born in Michigan, the oldest of 8 children, living "a pretty normal childhood". He joined the Navy when he was 18, moved to San Francisco and went into the Merchant Marine, ultimately serving in Vietnam. When he returned and went to school, he worked on ships during the summers to raise money for his tuition. He learned skills during this time that would launch him into the career that would come next.

Before he graduated, he married Laurel and had a family - 2 daughters - working odd jobs mostly in power plants. When the family moved to Canada ("Dad's Canadian"), he dabbled in a hobby that he had once thought would be his career, photography. But it's hard to make a living taking pictures, so he continued working in power plants in the area. They moved back to the states, onto Vashon Island, where he started a business in construction testing air and water flows. After 7 years as his own boss, he was invited to take on a job in the same field in California. He eventually retired and moved back to the Northwest.

As often happens with youthful, curious people, retirement wasn't dormant for Gavin. He started doing his photography again and looked for volunteer work. He heard about Fishline, which he originally thought was "providing food for retired fishermen". He started as a receptionist, where he worked capably for 3 years, then took on the volunteer role of Program Manager for Food for Thought. When the opening for Volunteer Manager came up, he graciously agreed to take it on. Aside from the confusion coming from an office that has a Gavin and a Garvin, he was able to get going right away and brought order and calm to what can be a very busy workplace.

This job can have its challenges. Keeping a hopping food bank and thrift store staffed with trained volunteers can have its ups and downs. "The hardest part is getting enough steady volunteers to keep up with our growth. " But the ups are wonderfully energizing. "I love the people, the volunteers, the students we have working with us, our clients. It's a great group of people to work with."

You can contact Gavin at volunteer@nkfishline.org with any questions or interest in becoming a NK Fishline volunteer. We'd love to have you!

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Local Teens Lend a Helping Hand

Featured here:  Ricky Bonachea who drives from Bremerton to help us, and Rachelle Charlie and Mikaila Lestenkof.

The lazy, hazy days of summer usually mean long stretches of fun and recreation for students who have worked and studied hard all the school year.  But for some of our local teens, the summer means it's also a time to give back to their community.  For many summers, Fishline has been able to keep local high school and college students busy helping in the food bank and on special projects, but we've had more help from our youth this summer than ever before.

After an announcement was made at North Kitsap High School Honors Program just before the end of the school year, more than 12 students immediately jumped in to help us.  First on the list of projects was sorting the food received during the recent postal drive, nearly 17,000 pounds of cans, jars and packages that needed to be date checked and  organized.  Thanks to the help of these young people, we were done in 1 week, a process that normally takes 2-3 weeks.  Then it was onto helping organize the new front market system, all the while pitching in every day by sorting groceries and stocking food shelves as they emptied during our busy days.  Some of our students will even be serving as checkout volunteers next week and beyond, as we implement our new "Fish Bucks" market design.

Featured:  Marlon Basco & Bryce Whitford pack up boxes of bread. (Kitsap Sun)

All around Fishline, you can hear volunteers say to each other, "The teen help we've had this summer has been great!" and that is certainly true.  We're very lucky to have their help, knowing that our future is in good hands if it's in the hands of these great leaders-in-the-making. 

Can You Speak Vietnamese or Polish?

Can you read, write, and speak a foreign language? NK Fishline could use your help!

Specifically we are looking for people who can translate Vietnamese or Polish.  We are undergoing some changes to our front market structure and it would be great to be able to serve our clients who don't speak English well or may have difficulty understanding the transition.

Please contact our Executive Director, Mary Nader, if you can help! Thanks!

Small Tasks That Make a BIG Difference at Fishline!

Want to volunteer?
Don’t have a lot of spare time?

The staff at Fishline has a multitude of simple and quick tasks that are easy to fit into an active week. However it’s those little things that add up and put a squeeze on our already busy schedules.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Gavin -- if you have time for any of these tasks!

Here is a list of some of the things we need help with:

• Maintain the lobby bulletin board—once weekly—30 minutes tops-discard outdated material and order what’s missing.

• Birthday gifts program for kids—once weekly—1 hour of fun “shopping” in the birthday boxes in Rae’s office.

• Shredding — that’s right:  shredding —once weekly-10 minutes tops-it’s a noisy job so best done before or after open hours.

• Creating labels for our Housing Solutions pamphlets-one time task-1 hour—print and stick-that’s it!

• Creating a poster of services available here at Fishline - one time task - needs to be big, bold and beautiful!

• Community Events Booth Manager(s)– knowledgeable and friendly person (or bring a friend along and make it a partnership) to explain all the good work Fishline does in the community—a few days a year.

• Investigator—sad but true, there a small number of fraudulent folks taking advantage—see Rae for details.

• News Specialist—do you read the paper EVERY day? We need someone to keep abreast of food bank relevant news and local obituaries that may name NK Fishline as a source for memorial donations.

• Community Outreach - working with the News Specialist find out who in the community needs help - and then work with Rae and Lucy to do outreach. May also involve arranging on site classes here at Fishline.

• Health Care Information Specialist - someone to gather all the health care relevant information and create a
 packet that a normal person can make sense of - time involvement is unknown -

• Reporter - a friendly articulate person to write our monthly volunteer newsletter - requires some interviewing and keeping abreast of all the schedules of events here at Fishline. 4-5 hours a month(?)

• Weed fighter - yep it's that time of year - there are weeds growing in the front parking area and a thorny bush overgrowing right into the walkway! One hour sessions - as needed till Fall.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator if you have time for any of these things! We're glad to have you!