Washington state is a flood with almost 45,000 registered and legit not-for-profit organizations. Their missions are wide ranging, but all attempt to address a significant community need, often relying completely on donor funding and an active cadre of community volunteers to do so.
For many residents, the nonprofit world can look like a confusing, amorphous bag of missions, volunteers, fundraising, staff and activities, often seeming to overlap. But these groups provide or supplement essential and usually underfunded resources, direct services and programs that address critical community needs, bringing added value to their service areas and hope to those who need it most.
Nonprofit Spotlight hopes to provide a snapshot for you as readers, residents, potential volunteers, donors and clients with the basics, the info you need to make an educated decision on whether to support or participate. These are often community-based organizations, so you can bet that both will be highly valued and greatly appreciated. Check them out, ask questions, stop by, call or email for further info. They’ll be delighted to hear from you!
This month:
Fishline
A Poulsbo-based organization serving North Kitsap County for over 50 years, making it one of the oldest food banks in the United States.
Executive director: Charles Thompson
Board president: Jagoda Perich-Anderson
Mission: Fishline coordinates resources to help people onto a path of sustainability.
“Fishline is needed now more than ever,” Executive Director Charlie Thompson says. “The programs and services provide essential resources to people in need of financial assistance, food support, mental healthcare and so much more. Our work is made possible by the generosity of volunteers and donors from throughout Kitsap.”
Key Programs and Services
Case management: Rental assistance, utility disconnection prevention, recommendations to appropriate agencies and application assistance for low-cost programs and services.
Food: Grocery-store style shopping experience in market stocked with fresh food, dry and canned goods and more. Optimal shopping hours for individuals with work commitments.
Children’s services: Birthday and holiday gifts, weekend food packs for students, and funding for extracurricular activities, supplies, or equipment.
Mental health: Full-time therapists available Monday to Friday. No-cost counselors offering therapy for ages 13 and up.
Thrift store: Sale of gently used clothing in a boutique style thrift store that helps support Fishline’s services. A discounted rate is available to clients. Accepts donations of clothing, home decor, small kitchen items, linens, jewelry and books in gently used and excellent condition, located at 19689 7th Ave NE Suite 101 in Poulsbo.
Unhoused services: Access to warm showers, choice of hygiene items and clean clothing.
Comprehensive services: Partner agencies on site offer convenient access to other services.
“For both staff and volunteers at Fishline, what we do is heart work,” says board President Jagoda Perich-Anderson. “We really care about supporting the health, safety and overall wellbeing of people in our community who need it most.”
Location: 19705 Viking Ave NW, Poulsbo
Contact: 360-779-5190 or email info@fishlinehelps.org
Donate online: fishlinehelps.org/donate-2.
This Nonprofit Spotlight column is designed to inform you about our community’s highly respected 501(c)3 organizations. We highly recommend potential clients, volunteers and donors access further information via the organization’s website or via independent watch groups like GuideStar, Charity Navigator, GreatNonprofits or Charity Watch, all available online. And for an updated list of nonprofits in our community, check out the links provided by community foundations in Kitsap and Jefferson counties.
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