Head of FISH comments on the food bank’s Thanksgiving tradition, relying solely on donations to serve poor families in the Lakewood area
Rebecca Smith
Staff Writer
When the leaves start to change color, and the infamous Washington rains begins to downpour, it means that the holiday season is just right around the corner. That means only two things: early Christmas shopping and all the holiday food you can eat. Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, candied yams, and all the pies imaginable.
Unfortunately, every year there are millions of families in the United States who struggle financially and cannot afford to put food on the table every night, let alone for Thanksgiving. Luckily for the citizens of Lakewood, there is hope.
Since early 2007, the FISH food bank, located at the United Methodist church here in Steilacoom, has been serving families and their kin, ensuring each and every man, woman, and child is provided the necessary rations of food to last them at least 3 days.
“We serve all types of people” Says Markus Stoll, the person in charge of the Lakewood FISH food bank “15-20 percent of our families are also from the military, we even serve the working poor” With each family, the food bank gives out everything from canned goods, to fresh vegetables and varieties of meat and poultry. “Over the last five years, we have grown to serving 2,000 people to nearly 10,000 people a month ” comments Stoll.
This year, The Cheney foundation and Northwest Harvest have teamed up and donated a $25,000 grant to FISH; which will be used toward buying large portions of meat and canned goods that contribute toward a proper Thanksgiving meal. “For every dollar that is donated to the food bank, equals about 7 dollars worth of food for a family”
He then adds, “we rely soley on donations, without donations, how could we help these people in their time of need? This is the challenge that we face in comparison those who give out Turkey baskets, we are very limited in supply and in donation, and those who do give out baskets are on a first-come-first-serve basis. We don’t wish to do that We do what we can to help, with what we have”
One positive factor about the FISH food bank, is that the program is a non-profit and non-discriminating foundation. The volunteers of the program are very friendly and greet visitors old and new with a smile and a helping hand. “Sometimes it’s difficult to ask for help. Especially during the holidays, I have seen people come here in tears, because they are embarrassed to ask for help. We like to create a community with a mutual understamnding that we all have been in a rough spot at least once in our life, and it’s ok to ask for help”
Markus and his team go to extraordinary heights to ensure each person that this place is a safe haven; and are anticipating the excitement that will soon come with the Thanksgiving rush.
In addition to the the tradition of Thanksgiving, Stoll shares ” the one thing that I am thankful for, is that in all my 18 years that I have worked with retail, I am able to use those skills and my passion to help others in need. Somedays I wonder how we get through each day, yet we somehow always make it through. I am thankful for the opportunity that FISH has given me to live out my dream”
FISH food bank will be handing out donations the week prior to Thanksgiving, members of the community are encouraged to stop by and make a charitable donation to help those in need.
