ISH Food Banks, the largest network of food banks in Pierce County, has changed its name and unveiled a new brand that "represents our entire organization" and the positive ways that people support it, says the agency's leader.
“We will be known as Nourish Pierce County. Nourish reflects not only what we do, but also the way in which staff, volunteers, donors and our entire community work together to provide nutritious food to anyone who needs it,” said Sue Potter.
Founded by the faith community in the early 1970s, the agency formerly known as FISH is an independent non-profit organization, governed by a community board of directors. It runs seven food banks – including one in the Graham-South Hill area – and serves another 10 locations via its mobile food bank, operated in partnership with Emergency Food Network.
To keep costs down and feed more people, the new identity of Nourish Pierce County will gradually be phased in through the use of marketing materials, business cards, according to Potter.
“We're excited to talk to volunteers and donors, partners and the community about our new name and how well it represents our entire organization,” said Potter, who has been executive director since 2015.
“Nourish is more than a name. It's the word donors and volunteers use to describe their feelings after helping out," she said. "It reflects the way we treat clients and each other. And, we hope, it will help people in all corners of Pierce County understand the need and how they can help us.”
While the booming economy might create the impression that the organization's services aren't as important these days, that's far from the case, Potter emphasized.
“Soaring rents and home prices. Higher costs for health care. Those are just two of the many factors that make our food banks a vital safety net for so many,” she said.
Last year alone, Nourish/FISH:
• Served approximately 70,000 people who combined made nearly 500,000 visits to food bank locations. That includes the food bank based at Holy Disciples Catholic Church between South Hill and Graham.
• Distributed 6.5 million pounds of food that represented more than 4 million meals .
• Turned every dollar donated into about $7 worth of food.
• Had the help of 700 volunteers º the equivalent of nearly 50 full-time employees.
Additional information is available at nourishpc.org and 253-383-3164.
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