ShareNet experienced growth in all the areas federal reporting requires from registered food banks. We distributed more than 35,000 more pounds of food this year than last. We had almost 800 more individual instances of service in 2012.
More service means more work: Volunteers served more than 1,000 more hours than in 2011. Below are key 2012 statistics.
— Food distributed: 315,814 pounds.
— Volunteer hours: 5,009.
— Individual service instances: 13,973.
Networked partnerships
As a state-registered charity operating under the 501c3 of Bayside Community Church, ShareNet is a registered, affiliated food bank which benefits from membership in the Kitsap County Food Bank Coalition, the Washington Food Coalition, Feeding America, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest.
The purchasing power of these networks benefits our clients and stretches every dollar you donate. They are also a primary source for best practices regarding food safety and distribution, and innovative programs such as Food Lifeline’s Grocery Rescue, which allows local stores to safely donate still good food they would otherwise discard.
Remodel adds storage, processing capability
ShareNet started off 2012 with a much-needed improvement and a new challenge: 800 extra square feet of space. The remodel was done to accommodate the huge growth ShareNet has sustained since 2007, going from around 2,000 individual service instances that year to nearly 14,000 in 2012. The additional space allows us to store and process more food, serve more food to more clients, and to have a bit more room for volunteers to spread out and work in. Much of the construction materials and labor were donated or sharply discounted, but Neighbor Aid donations allowed us to pay for the rest and to meet additional monthly leasing costs.
Volunteers
We have the most dedicated, concerned group of volunteers I’ve ever seen in over a decade in social services. They are the reason ShareNet could sustain such tremendous growth so seamlessly. Volunteers process our deliveries and our donations. They unload trucks and stock shelves. They pack food boxes and distribute them. They make our clients feel important, valued, and hopeful.
Food to Grow On
“As school counselor at Gordon Elementary, I am very thankful for the all of the services of ShareNet, specifically the weekend food program at our school,” said Rick Goudzwaard, counselor, Gordon Elementary School.
“The children and parents who receive these services are always very appreciative and are truly in need. It is a simple equation, children do better in school and socially when they are not hungry and have access to adequate nutrition.”
Weekend take-home food for school children in need is delivered weekly to four local schools: Gordon Elementary, Wolfle Elementary, Kingston Middle, and Kingston High. ShareNet works closely with school administrators and counselors to identify students in need. Individual food packs are transported to school offices and with the help of administrative staff there discreetly distributed.
ShareNet takes pride in sourcing the healthiest foods possible for this pack including organics when available. Current service numbers are around 80 kids per week during the school year among the four schools. ShareNet also serves Wolfle Elementary School’s summer session for three weeks after the school year ends.
Thrift Store
The promise of ShareNet’s Thrift Store, which opened in 2007, is finally coming to fruition. 2012 was the store’s highest-grossing year yet, allowing it to support a larger segment of ShareNet’s expenses.
Emergency utility and housing assistance
In 2012, ShareNet again partnered with the Poulsbo chapter of St. Vincent de Paul in distributing more than $30,000 in financial assistance for eviction prevention and utility shut-off prevention for our designated service area. The amount available for this fund depends exclusively on the success of Neighbor Aid. After appropriate screening, local residents may receive help in moving through a temporary crisis affecting their ability to pay rent, mortgage, or a utility bill.
Seasonal events
ShareNet provided about 200 families with our Thanksgiving holiday boxes for about 600 total persons served.
For 2012’s Back to School Supplies Event, ShareNet partnered with Kingston Alive Covenant to serve more than 125 students at the event itself with fully appointed backpacks, and then continued to provide the mostly-purchased supplies as demand lingered through the first months of the new school year. Any surplus was then donated directly to the schools for their use. Our gift shop held at Bayside Community Church served 186 children.
Neighbor Aid 2012
While we didn’t reach the record total of 2011, Neighbor Aid 2012 raised $56,785 to help support ShareNet‘s efforts to fight hunger and poverty in the north end.
Hundreds of local individuals, businesses, service clubs and schools came together through ShareNet to help hungry people in our community. Your support — whether time, money or service — ensures ShareNet can continue to operate.
If you met our clients directly, they would tell you themselves how grateful they are. We extend that gratitude to you.
