Thursday, June 23, 2011

Book signing benefits FISH

It was an afternoon of history and fun on Saturday as Dr. Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, historian and author, presented her newly released book, Winning the West for Women: The Life of Suffragist Emma Smith DeVoe. The book signing and celebration was held at the DeVoe Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Tacoma, once the home of Emma Smith DeVoe. Attendees brought canned food donation as the cost of admission and all proceeds benefited FISH Food Banks. We'd like to thank Dr. Ross-Nazzal for her generosity in sharing the celebration of her new book with people in need here in our county.

Executive director Beth Elliott with FISH board members Sandy Roszman and Dee Dippolito at DeVoe Mansion

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

FISH Food Benefit was a rousing success!

The Swiss Pub in Tacoma rocked out on Sunday evening with the sounds of the 4th Annual FISH Food Benefit Concert, presented by Maurice the Fish Records and SweatBox Entertainment. Through donations, raffles and a silent auction, the evening raised more than $4,000 for FISH Food Banks of Pierce County -- enough to provide over $28,000 worth of food to people in need!

"King Fish" Raymond Hayden talks about the record label's commitment to helping hungry people:


Participating artists included Heidi Vladyka, Josh Rizeberg, Sevens Revenge, the Rikk Beatty Band, the Kim Archer Band, and Mr. Von. Many, many thanks to all of the artists, volunteers, sponsors, donors and attendees who made this event possible!
Heidi Vladyka opened the show
Spoken word artist Josh Rizeberg





Kristin and Dusti of Sevens Revenge

Kim Archer
Mr. Von of SweatBox Entertainment

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The state budget affects you - learn how to make your voice heard!

We're excited to be working with our friends at Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN) to offer a series of community conversations on state budget cuts and how they can affect you. What happens in Olympia matters to you; please join us to learn how you can make your voice heard in Olympia. Our first community conversation will be held next Wednesday, June 22 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the King, 1704 East 85th (next to Southeast FISH). Map

Download a flyer here.

Friday, June 3, 2011

We're growing again at Southeast!

Just three years after completing a large expansion, our Southeast FISH Food Bank is expanding again. When we completed the 2,500 sq. ft. expansion in 2008, Southeast was serving approximately 8,000 people each month. In these days of a bad economy and high unemployment, Southeast is now serving more than 14,000 people each month and has outgrown its space.

Up to now volunteers have had to move 20 to 40 pallets of food outside the food bank every day to make room for serving clients and restocking shelves. At the end of the day they move the pallets back inside. During bad weather the pallets have been covered with plastic tarps for protection, often a challenge on windy and rainy days. 

Construction began May 2 on another expansion that will add 1,000 sq. ft. to the food bank. The added space will house 40 pallets of food that currently sit outside during the day and provide space for 20 additional pallets. It will make remove a safety hazard for our volunteers and staff and at the same time allow us to serve clients more efficiently.

Added space will allow pallets to be stored inside.

We are so grateful to our friends at Mountain Construction, who are donating a significant portion of the labor to make this project happen.They've made great progress over the past month, and expect to be finished by mid- to late June.

Looking good and making great progress!