A look back at the beginning of our local food banks | This ‘N’ That

Mention of Fishline brings back memories of the original food banks.

In talking recently with Barb Fulton, I found her elated to have a new home for the Kingston Food Bank.

Barb’s parents, Ray and Vi Weaver, started this independent community service in their basement, then moved into the old VFW hall. Barb prayed for a miracle and got it. What a blessing!

In the North Kitsap Herald’s Dec. 20 issue, there was an article by Mary Nader, director of North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank. She mentioned that a small group started the food bank in 1967.

In August 1967, I was elected to represent low-income people of North Kitsap for the government’s Office of Economic Opportunity project at a community meeting in Suquamish. While not low-income, but having been there in early years, it was felt I would understand the needs of low-income families and could represent them. I was next elected to serve as a council member, then later as the chairperson of the North End Kitsap Community Action Council. Some months later, I was elected by the council to serve as a trustee on the Kitsap Community Action Program board, where I served for seven years.

Communities were divided into three area councils — South, Central, and North. Bainbridge Island was a part of the North. Aides were hired to do community field work, pinpointing low-income families and identifying needs.

Head Start was one of the major programs I worked to bring into Kitsap County. A few years later, I was sent to Washington, D.C. with other state Community Action representatives. Our mission was to validate the value of this program in talking with our then-congressman, Floyd Hicks, asking that Head Start funding be continued. The program did continue.

Much of my time was spent in Olympia working with groups from all over the state on many low-income and community issues. The Landlord Tenant Law was enacted in 1973, due to a lot of work and persistence. I was an appointed speaker for Kitsap County. When learning there were seed funds to start community food banks, I presented the information to the KCAP board. It was immediately voted on and passed to put in a request for a grant, which we did receive.

Meetings were held with churches, local governments and anyone who would listen. Churches were the first to round up volunteers using either their building, or help in finding other facilities. One of the first food banks was Fishline, in a Poulsbo church, and today you can still see the wonderful results.

Other food banks came after, founded by caring churches and community volunteers like in ShareNet. We at Redeemer United Methodist Church in Kingston have a grocery basket for donations in the entrance hall. Funds raised by the Sunshine Ladies group donate part of the rummage and craft sales to this worthwhile cause every year.

Kingston Redeemer United Methodist Church is looking forward to a 20-year anniversary celebration on April 27. The church began holding Sunday service in the Wolfle Elementary School auditorium on Easter 1994. Ten years later, the church moved into a  building constructed by the congregation on Shorty Campbell Road.

Pastor Cal White, the founder, served for 17 years before retiring. Pastor White will be part of the celebration and potluck that the charter member and volunteer committee is planning. As a charter member, I am on that committee.

If you have ever been a member, or attended Redeemer, we would be happy to make sure we have your name and address. The committee would like to send a written invitation to you. Email me and I will pass it on.

— Contact Jacque Thornton at jacquejt@centurytel.net

 

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