Coming together to help the community

Published 10:59 am Friday, April 24, 2015

For the second year in a row, our local Rotary Club and our Lions Club came together recently to host a citywide food drive on behalf of Fishline.

Members of each club were stationed at the doors of all local grocery stores, where shoppers could choose items to donate and drop them off on the way out.

The result was a resounding success, with more than 6,400 pounds and $2,500 raised to help Fishline meet our local need. This is almost 20 percent over last year, reflecting both the remarkable generosity of our neighbors and the addition of Safeway as a Fishline grocery partner.

As we met with neighbors while they donated, we heard so many beautiful stories of how Fishline has made a difference in their lives, how they at one time needed help but now want to pay it forward, or how important it is that we care for each other in this way.  In fact, it was often those who have been struggling financially who seemed to give most generously. It was not uncommon for some people to roll up a filled grocery basket, take the one bag for themselves and leave the rest. This is the kind of kindness and support that makes living here so special.

Special thanks to the Poulsbo Lions and Rotary clubs and our partner stores for coming together to help Fishline. Our shelves are happily stocked with peanut butter and cereal and even pet food and, between this drive and the Stamp Out Hunger drive in May, we should be set for most of the summer.

Thank you to all our community for giving of yourselves so that others have enough.

NK Fishline Food Bank
Mary Nader, director
Rob Gelder, Poulsbo Rotary Club
Dennis Peters, Poulsbo Lions Club