ShareNet & You

Community BBQ

for all, fundraiser

kicks off next month

When our local branches of American Marine Bank and Windermere Real Estate recently dueled to see who could collect the most food for our community, the loser (though nobody lost in this deal), Windermere, was obligated to host a dinner for AMB. Now AMB and Windermere have graciously offered to host a community barbecue instead.

We’d like to invite everyone down to ShareNet between 5-7 p.m. Aug. 6 for tasty food and some deep discounts at our Thrift Store, which is open late that night as well as Fridays. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and, if you haven’t already, see what ShareNet is accomplishing at 26061 United Road NE (off Bond Road at the turnoff for Joe’s Automotive).

In July, ShareNet celebrated the one-year anniversary of its new site on United Road and the opening of its Thrift Store. Already it’s been a packed year, full of changes, growth, and we hope lots of help for our community. Use of our Food Bank is up 30 percent over last year. It’s important to remember that when we help those most vulnerable in our community, we’re not just serving a narrow segment of our population; we’re really strengthening the whole community.

When we work to heal imbalances in the community, we improve aspects of everyone’s life here. Although you may never need or benefit from ShareNet’s direct services, everyone benefits from our work to improve the community.

In all the operational demands of our daily work, I sometimes forget the larger purpose in social services, or why I was drawn to this work, which is to better our society. Whether you work in social services or not, I think most of us have that tug to want to help and improve our community in some way; becoming active with ShareNet as a volunteer or donor is one way to satisfy it.

ShareNet hopes to expand its focus in the future by adding general assistance beyond food where time and funding allows. With soaring food and fuel costs, we’re anticipating a tough winter for everyone, especially those we serve. For this reason, ShareNet is kicking off a fundraiser in September in partnership with Kingston Community News, which will be monitored and updated monthly in the paper. Look for the fundraiser thermometer to follow our results!

We’re especially encouraging local businesses and residents who may have contributed in the past to Poulsbo-based fundraisers to think of us first. It’s not that those efforts aren’t just as valuable, it’s just that we’re closer and serving your community more directly! Funds raised will be used for utilities, emergency housing, gas, and of course food assistance, as well as the operating costs associated with wdistribution. For those who enjoy receiving, and donating through our holiday mailer, that will still be coming and the fundraiser through the Community News is just an additional way to go.

Contact ShareNet at (360) 297-2266.

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