By: Paige Teeny, Member Services Director
Looking over the Olympia Mountains, and the beautiful bay, North Kitsap Fishline serves the communities of Poulsbo, Keyport, and Suquamish. For over 45 years, North Kitsap Fishline has provided emergency food services and a very popular thrift store, Second Season, to this community. Executive Director, Mary Nader, describes how the organizations got it start during the War on Poverty in the 60s. She remarks how people saw need in their community and wanted to respond and fill the gaps.
Recently, Fishline changed from food box model to client choice or shopping model. While the transition was spurred by volunteers, it brought together clients, volunteers, professionals, and staff to create a remarkable use of space and resources. How they have achieved success lies in their dedicated volunteers and a the use of "fish bucks". 20 Fish Bucks are give to clients at the beginning of each week, with five more given for each additional family member. At the beginning of each client's shopping, they are given a sheet of paper with how many fish bucks they have left, along with a list of commonly found items in the market to tick off. Items are priced on availability and can change depending how long it has to last. A loaf of Bread, for example, is almost always priced at one fish buck. However, golden raspberries, might be much more. The client get's to choose what works best for them each week. The strong grocery relocation program they have with local groceries help them keep items fresh. After the Client has gone through the area, they then take their groceries to the checkout, where a volunteer counts how many fish bucks they have spent, and then let's them know their total afterwards. Mary has remarked on the countless positive feedback received form clients and how many even have leftover fish bucks at the end of the week.
Fishline is hoping to convert all their commodities and emergency boxes over to the shopping model.
Looking over the Olympia Mountains, and the beautiful bay, North Kitsap Fishline serves the communities of Poulsbo, Keyport, and Suquamish. For over 45 years, North Kitsap Fishline has provided emergency food services and a very popular thrift store, Second Season, to this community. Executive Director, Mary Nader, describes how the organizations got it start during the War on Poverty in the 60s. She remarks how people saw need in their community and wanted to respond and fill the gaps.
Recently, Fishline changed from food box model to client choice or shopping model. While the transition was spurred by volunteers, it brought together clients, volunteers, professionals, and staff to create a remarkable use of space and resources. How they have achieved success lies in their dedicated volunteers and a the use of "fish bucks". 20 Fish Bucks are give to clients at the beginning of each week, with five more given for each additional family member. At the beginning of each client's shopping, they are given a sheet of paper with how many fish bucks they have left, along with a list of commonly found items in the market to tick off. Items are priced on availability and can change depending how long it has to last. A loaf of Bread, for example, is almost always priced at one fish buck. However, golden raspberries, might be much more. The client get's to choose what works best for them each week. The strong grocery relocation program they have with local groceries help them keep items fresh. After the Client has gone through the area, they then take their groceries to the checkout, where a volunteer counts how many fish bucks they have spent, and then let's them know their total afterwards. Mary has remarked on the countless positive feedback received form clients and how many even have leftover fish bucks at the end of the week.
Fishline is hoping to convert all their commodities and emergency boxes over to the shopping model.
Specials are posted to let clients know they can get more bang for their Fish Buck!
Their wonderful fridges keep produce cold but placed wonderfully to let clients choose!
Clients choosing and checking out.
Bread is usually 1 Fish Buck!
Clients have wonderful desserts available as well.
Produce section offer array of vegetables and fruits to choose
One Client wanted me to take a picture of her with her bag and commented she loves the new model.
The area is nice and roomy to accommodate families!
North Kitsap Fishline other programs include
a backpack program called “Food for Thought”, a grocery delivery services to
seniors and disabled persons, and “e-boxes” or monthly emergency boxes.
Fishline also has a Housing placement person come in every day to meet with
clients and help them find housing. To learn more about how North Kitsap
Fishline is helping, you can find their website here!
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