Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with friends, festivities, and family.
Before we eat on Thanksgiving, my family has a tradition where we go around the table and each person shares one reason that they are grateful. This year, I don’t even have to think twice. My response will be, “I am so thankful to live in a place where there is such a strong sense of community.” Throughout the chaos of 2020 and 2021, Fishline remained open and was able to help our neighbors with food, financial assistance, and other services. This would never have been possible without the hard work of our staff and consistent support from our neighbors.
It amazes me that whatever barrier Fishline faces, the North Kitsap community rallies together to problem solve and overcome it. In order to demonstrate this, I want to describe a recent challenge. Every year in October, we place an order for holiday meats to ensure we have enough provisions so all our clients can enjoy the holidays. Although we confirmed it in early November, our Market Manager learned on November 12th (one business day before we were distributing the order) that it had been cancelled due to the turkey shortage. Fishline was faced with a difficult situation and was unsure how to proceed. Do we purchase gift cards to other local markets? But, by the time our clients got there, the stores would be sold out.
We reached out on social media and called friends to see if someone could help. Within an hour or two, contributions started pouring in. Nevin and Jenny Booth and their friend, Michael, came to our rescue. The trio visited 12 stores across Kitsap County purchasing hams, chickens, Cornish game hens, and turkeys to help feed our clients. Volunteers learned of our plight on Facebook and contacted local organizations for assistance. And many, many members of the community visited Fishline bringing donations of meat. Within 72 hours Fishline had gone from an empty freezer to one filled with a cornucopia of selections; it became so full that staff couldn’t enter. It was barricaded by milk crates full of turkeys.
I don’t know if another community would have sprung into action so quickly. We feel so blessed and grateful to our friends and neighbors. Thank you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
With Gratitude,
Lori Maxim
(360) 208-0103