Our history
It began in 1976 and was incorporated in 1985 by people who believed that neighbors care for one another and that every person in our community is our neighbor. Everyone in the greater Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula area can belong to GHP FISH by contributing food, money, clothing or housewares; by volunteering in some aspect of its operation, or by receiving services. Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH is an independent, unaffiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization inspired by the biblical FISH international movement and principles of neighbors helping neighbors.
What does FISH stand for?
It’s a question we often hear. As many of our volunteers already know, it’s not an acronym. For us it means a community caring for each other. The fish is an ancient symbol used by early Christians and has come to signify foundational faith principles, like sharing each other’s burdens and loving our neighbors like ourselves. That holds true for FISH-style food banks across the country and around the world.
Here’s some background:
A Friendly Neighbor Called "Fish" (PDF) from the Christian Herald (reprinted in Readers Digest in 1969) illustrates who we are and describes how the FISH movement began. We gratefully acknowledge The Bowery Mission for granting permission to share the article. Clicking the link will open the PDF.
This 1972 New York Times story entitled "Satisfaction Is Helping Strangers Who Have Problems" from 1972 provides more information on the FISH movement. Clicking the link will take you to the New York Times website.
Our Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH (GHP FISH) story started in 1976 when a young mother wanted to help her community. Previously, when Jan and Ron Coen were stationed with the Navy in San Diego, she had been involved with 15-church group providing needed social services. When the family returned to Gig Harbor, she hoped to connect with similar work here but there were no similar volunteer organizations in place.
Jan started asking questions and found there were significant unmet needs among financially struggling folks in the area. “With some trepidation,” she gathered a brainstorming group from local churches, fire department and police—people who knew the community’s needs. They decided to adopt the “FISH” model, which had originated in an English church in 1961, and spread quickly to the United States and beyond.
FISH is designed by each community to fit its own needs. There’s no headquarters, or specific structure, but the organizations share such common principles as being “non-denominational, non-discriminatory, and seeking to serve all our neighbors with respect, dignity and compassion.”
Locally, most requests were for help finding childcare, transportation, medical care and other services. When the Pierce County Community Action Agency moved to Tacoma in the early 1980s, the group took over a tiny community food bank. It was nothing more than a hallway in the old Burton Park Building on 38th Street. Even after moving into larger rooms, they needed more space. So, in 2000, GHP FISH moved to rented rooms in the Eagles building.
The operation continued to expand, adding more space for self-shopping, then clothing and household goods. With growing community and volunteer support, GHP FISH began offering Financial Aid, Student Aid, Christmas/holiday food and toy programs, and more. All these services, provided by caring volunteers, give hope and support to those struggling with economic emergencies.
As these services grew, the need became apparent for our own building, one designed specifically for a food bank and related needs. We moved into our welcoming and efficient new building in July 2022.
Today, our GHP FISH story is thriving with strong community support, 200-plus volunteers, an active Facebook page, and continuing dedication to being neighbors helping neighbors. All because of the community working together.
