What's New?

New location for NW Tacoma FISH Food Bank

The NW Tacoma FISH Food Bank has moved. The new address:

Mason United Methodist Church

2710 North Madison, Tacoma 98407

Hours of operation: Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.

Steven Hayes, food bank coordinator: (253) 756-4974

by Beth Elliott, Executive Director

FISH Food Banks of Pierce County

Shopping carts, grocery style aisles, hot coffee or tea, and food demonstrations...imagine finding all of these at the food bank. Well, imagine no more! Come visit our newly redesigned NW Tacoma FISH Food Bank located at Mason United Methodist Church.

We opened the door to this redesigned food bank on February 7 to the excitement and astonishment of many food bank customers. Individuals were waiting indoors and enjoying a hot drink. While waiting, individuals had taste samples and learned how to prepare our latest nutrition education recipe. Also, eligible individuals could sign up, right at the food bank, for the Basic Food Program (formerly called Food Stamps).

One customer called to say he was thrilled to have a dry place to wait out of the rain. Another called to say how much he loved the lentil recipe and was going home to make a batch of lentil soup. Yet another customer called to say she was excited to be able to choose the food she and her family needed.

Of course we could not have accomplished any of this if it were not for our wonderful volunteers! Many of our long time volunteers from the NW FISH and Old Town FISH Food Banks and several new ones came together to assist with the opening and to see that individuals were well served. I think it is safe to say that at the end of the day everyone, volunteers and customers alike, were pleasantly surprised and all will be back!

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of Mason United Methodist Church. They have welcomed us with open arms while we have taken over their kitchen and storage areas to develop this exciting food bank. Please come take a look. We are open for business every Wednesday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 12:00 until 4:00 pm or stop in Tuesday - Saturday to visit with our new food bank coordinator, Steven Hayes. He can also be reached at the food bank by calling 756- 4974.

Perhaps the best news of all is that individuals now have the opportunity to choose the food that best suits their needs and to have a warm and dry place in which to wait.

'Self Serve' Comes to NW Tacoma FISH Food Bank