Volunteering: A Full-time Job (no, really!)

News
Wells Fargo volunteers

The spirit of the season is year-round for some local businesses and their employees. Take Poulsbo’s Wells Fargo team, for example. Each week one person from their branch joins our Wednesday morning crew, helping to stock our market’s shelves, receive donations, and pitch in where needed. Les Schwab owner Brett Clark not only gives his time as leader of Rotary’s Interact Club, but encourages volunteerism among his employees. In fact, at Les Schwab, fulfillment of community service plays a role in their promotion process. Other employers, like United Health Care, not only compensate employee volunteer time, but they’ll match that contribution in dollars. Workplace volunteerism is traditionally viewed as an employee benefit, but it’s a benefit to the whole community! More than 8 in 10 companies believe that volunteerism can help nonprofits accomplish long-term social goals (from a recent Deloitte survey). It’s a win-win and we’re fortunate to have these forward-thinking businesses right here in Kitsap to show use that you don’t have to be retired to volunteer! Why not ask your employer whether they offer workplace volunteerism as a benefit? If they don’t, maybe it’s time to start! If they do, we’d love to have you join us here at Fishline.


Homeless Needs for Cold Weather Months

Most Needed items

We are in need of supplies for our homeless clients during these cold weather months, please contact us at [email protected] if you are able to provide any of the following items:

  • 1 or 2 person tents
  • Sleeping bags
  • Sleeping mats
  • Tarps
  • Lightweight wool blankets
  • Camping stoves
  • Small propane tanks
  • Lanterns (with batteries)
  • Head lamps
  • Hand and foot warmers
  • Hot chocolate packets
  • Travel mugs
  • Can openers
  • Gas cards
  • Walmart gift cards
  • Gift cards for hot meals
  • Prepaid cell phones

For men and women:

  • Long underwear
  • Winter socks

 


Client Need: Big Ask

Most Needed items

Occasionally we have clients that have a big ask that we can reach out to the community for, this is the story of one such client.

Jenny* has had a difficult life, but is a determined person. Jenny is hardworking and takes pride in her work. Our client advocate, Sandra, can see this about her during her intake appointment. She came to Fishline for help after she was laid off because of her company closing down. 

When she came to Fishline, she confessed that she has had a lot of abuse in her life. She feels that for every two steps forward, she gets knocked a step back. The recent loss of her job and “work family” support has been difficult for her emotionally.

Despite being discouraged: she has set an immediate goal for herself to get back to work right away, and a long term goal of working at an auto body shop. She has a passion for fixing automobiles.

Recently, she spent a lot of time fixing up her own vehicle and was very proud of the quality of her work. She spent some time meeting with Sandra and showing her the pictures of her completed project.

Last week Jenny came in to Fishline crying hysterically: she was in a car accident and her car — the project she had put some much heart into, was totaled.

Without a car, looking for work will be more difficult. More importantly, the loss of her car is heartbreaking, as she was so proud of her work, and really one of the bright moments she was holding on to.

Do you have a working vehicle you would be willing to donate to Jenny? Please contact our Client Advocate at [email protected] if you are able to help.

*Name has been changed to protect client’s privacy.


Come to the Table, Benefit Auction and Dinner

News

We always sell out early! BUY NOW!

February 10, 2017
Kiana Lodge
14976 Sandy Hook Rd NE
Poulsbo, Washington
5pm

Enjoy Early Bird Pricing for our annual auction and benefit dinner until December 31st, 2017:

Early bird $60/person (Tickets after Jan 1st will be $75/person)

Early bird table of 8 $480 (Price valid until December 31st only)

Come to the table with us as over 290 community members join in celebrating and promoting the work that Fishline has done for those in need in the North Kitsap area for the last 51 years. On February 10th, 2018, we plan to have an evening of celebration, fun and excitement as we enjoy a flank steak or Kiana Lodges famous salmon dinner as well as a silent and live auction and for entertainment — a magician!

North Kitsap Fishline, the most comprehensive program in the breadth and depth of our services in Kitsap and one of the oldest registered food banks in the nation, offers the highest quality services and programs that help your neighbors in ways such as providing nutritious, fresh food (including a weekend program for school-age children), shelter, help with utilities, job training, computer resources, and referrals to other social service agencies.

Funds raised by the event will help with projects that directly support the services North Kitsap Fishline provides. Your participation makes a difference! Over 94% of all funds raised during the year are used directly for the clients in need.

To learn more, contact Karen Timken, Fishline Auction Chair, (206) 718-5052, [email protected].

 


Christmas Child 2017

Most Needed items

The Christmas Child program through North Kitsap Fishline allows parents to create a personal wish list of gifts that would bring the most joy to their children during the holiday season.

If you would like to sponsor a child this Christmas, tag trees can be found at the following locations:

Ashbaugh Beal
Azima
Bangor Commissary
Blue Heron Jewelry
Evergreen Home Loans
Faith Episcopal Church
First Security Bank
Freckles Salon
Hearing Advantage
Home Depot
Hot Shot Java
Interact Youth
Kitsap Crossfit
La Bella Vita Salon
Les Swabb Tires
Liberty Bay Bank
Lions Club-Poulsbo
Mc Millian Piper
Modern Dentistry
North Kitsap Herald
North Kitsap Highschool
North Point Church
NSWC Det Puget Sound
Port Gamble Theater
Options-Gordon Elementary
Paper Quirks
Peninsula Paint
Poulsbo City Hall
Poulsbo Cross Fit
Poulsbo First Lutheran Church
Poulsbo Parks & Recreation
Poulsbo Yacht Club
Ratheon
Reologics Sothebey’s Realty
Rice Ferguson Miller
SportsHaus
St. Charles Anglican Church
St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church
St. Olaf’s Church
Vinland Elementary
Downtown stores and Restaurants donate gift

Grab a tag from any of these locations and return your unwrapped gifts in a bag by December 10, 2017.

Sign-ups for parents wishing to enroll in the Christmas Child program have concluded. Late sign- ups are through December 21st. Children and their parents must be fully registered with Fishline, reside in Poulsbo, Suquamish or Keyport and provide proof via school registration or medical ID cards.