Dear Editor,

As we begin a new year, FISH Food Banks would like to extend a huge thank you to all the generous donors and volunteers who made it possible for us to feed more hungry families last year than ever before. Most organizations would be delighted to report a 24 percent increase in their business over a year’s time. But when our food banks report such growth, it means that more and more of our neighbors are in need.

In 2012, our seven fixed locations and our mobile food bank served an astonishing 555,000+ individuals, of whom 215,000 were under age 19. We provided enough food to make more than 5 million meals. We could not have done it without the overwhelming generosity of the Pierce County residents who gave us so much in donations of food, funds and volunteer hours. We would like to give a special thanks to Emergency Food Network and Northwest Harvest who provided more than half of our donated food.

At FISH Food Banks, we provide each client with enough nutritious food to make three meals a day for three days. Our goal is to ensure that no one in need is ever turned away. We are deeply grateful to be a part of this supportive community that makes it possible to achieve that goal.

Beth Elliott

FISH Food Banks

Tacoma