Dear Fabulous FISH Friends,

In Braiding Sweetgrass, the author explores the connections among living things. She contrasts the “gift economy” with the “commodity economy” where goods and services are purchased, rather than freely given. I realized that FISH is the perfect example of the “gift economy” in action. 

The very first call to the FISH phone line came in June of 1971.  We were hoping to celebrate in June of 2021 but were deterred by COVID. However, August of 2022 found us in a celebratory mood. One hundred of our faithful volunteers gathered at Vintage House for an evening to celebrate our volunteers. A carousel of pictures focused on FISH volunteers in action and scrapbooks cataloguing our 50-year history were key to the hall’s festive decor. Special thanks to the FISH Board of Directors for initiating, planning, and implementing this evening to celebrate our volunteers. An anonymous gift designated for this special celebration provided the financial footing for the dinner. Check out some party pics below!

Our friends at the Sonoma Valley Lions Club provided financial backing for the community celebration in the Plaza park on 30^th of August. Balloons, cupcakes, and conversation were the mainstay of this gathering. FISH also purchased an ad in the Sonoma Index-Tribune to thank our generous community for its ongoing support. 

The community of those who receive FISH services is vast and diverse – and always thankful. 

The Holiday Food Basket distribution is scheduled for Saturday, December 17^th between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Hanna Boys Center. Over the past year we have surveyed nearly 200 of our food recipients.  They are always appreciative but would also like more choice in food items. Most dramatically people state a desire for more fresh produce and fewer canned items.

Holiday Food Baskets were designed to ensure that each family could create a holiday feast. In years past, turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie defined a Norman Rockwell holiday feast. Both culinary tastes and demographics have changed, and turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin no longer define the perfect holiday meal. This year the Holiday Food Basket will change to include more fresh produce, cheese, and a gift card so each family and select items that reflect their holiday tradition and the desired food items. 

With gasoline at $6.50 per gallon and inflation at 10%, Holiday Food Baskets are needed more than ever. FISH expects to serve between 450 and 500 families whose holiday feast will include items they need for their family celebration. Although we have suspended our canned food drives, we have not suspended our need for support – both the Bell Ringing and our focus on Pennies for Produce will help offset the anticipated increased cost of the Holiday Food Basket program due to the increase in fresh produce and large amount on the gift cards. 

Bell Ringing is the FISH traditional fund raiser that supports the Holiday Food Basket. Each year FISH supporters from Rotary, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, SV Women’s Club, Newcomers, and more put on their Santa hats and ring bells in front of Sonoma Market, Safeway, Lucky’s, and Glen Ellen Market. December 2^nd is the kickoff date for the 2022 Bell Ringing fund raiser. 

The price of the Holiday Food Baskets will increase as we increase the amount of fresh produce we purchase and the purchase of larger gift cards. Bell Ringing is an opportunity for all of Sonoma to participate in the “gift economy” I mentioned earlier. If you want your holidays to be filled with joy, just talk to one of our Bell Ringers and they will share some of the past stories that include:

·      The child who brought her piggy bank and emptied it into the collection box

·      The mother who put money in the box because FISH provided food for her

·      The daughter wo contributed because her mother had received rental assistance

·      The grandfather who remembered hard times growing up

·      The teen who learned about “pay it forward”

·      The father who wanted his small son to understand sharing – so dad lifted the child so the donation could be put into the box

·      The smiles and good wishes that are generously shared. 

Almost every week FISH receives some type of thank you note - here is one from last week.

"Dear FISH,

I am grateful for the loving kindness and help I have received from so many FISH volunteers: Dispatchers, Drivers, and, particularly the selfless Anne Shapiro, who always expressed genuine kindness in what could have been embarrassing situations, she made things easy."