FISH Ministry Needs Volunteers, Donations During Holidays

When most people think of FISH (Faith in Serving Humanity) Ministry, they probably think of it as just a thrift store in the old Coca Cola building in Loganville. While the store is a big part of FISH, the ministry is much more than that. 

Cindy Little, who's been the executive director of the Christian outreach ministry for the last 14 years, gave a walkthrough of the history and purpose of the ministry to Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce members during their monthly luncheon Wednesday (Nov. 20), when the chamber also held a toy drive for FISH. 

For the last 22 years and with the help of 54 churches of all denominations, FISH serves families who are uninsured and underinsured in Walton County. The organization helps pay utility bills, hand out food stamps, serve as a food bank, and provide medical and dental care. 

FISH has grown in a variety of ways in the last two decades, but especially with getting food to children. The FISH for Kids program feeds 2,300 children a day by volunteers going door-to-door on weekdays to deliver food. 

"You would not believe how much poverty, how much drugs and all these things that are going on," said Little. "But for that moment, for that day at noon, they see a happy face, [and] they get a really good meal."

Another program, Backpack Buddies, assists with getting food to 1,200 kids on weekends. General Mills donated $12,000 just last week for this particular program, Little added. 

FISH also has a refrigerated truck now, thanks to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The bank was able to help the ministry receive a $40,000 grant for the truck, which volunteers use to collect food from Walmart distribution centers. During the month of October alone, 369,000 pounds of healthy, fresh food was brought to the FISH food bank on the truck alone, Little said.

Even though its thrift store has moved multiple times since FISH was founded, Little is looking for an even bigger building now because not only have they outgrown their current space, she realizes how important the store is in FISH's success. The thrift store brings in $120,000 back into the ministry to help families every year, and if FISH gets a larger space, it has the potential to grow even more.

FISH also has a new state-of-the-art, free medical and dental clinic that opened in April and has served 1,500 patients since then. The clinic came at a good time, too, since FISH is seeing more and more people apply for help because of health care reform.

She explained that many businesses are cutting back the hours for their full-time employees because employers say they can't afford health care under health care reform. Therefore, many locals are forced to find another part-time job to make up for the hours, and they've also lost their health benefits. 

This hurdle means that the ministry needs more volunteers and donations than ever this holiday season, and locals will be able to do that soon since FISH is looking to extend its Saturday and afternoon hours.

Despite all the hard work from Little, the employees and volunteers, FISH is a nonprofit in the truest form. 

"When you give to FISH, 100 percent of your donation goes to help those in need," Little said. "When we want to give, we make sure that it hits the ground, that it's not keeping the lights on, paying a salary or any of those things." 

To volunteer or donate funds to FISH, visit www.fishofwalton.info or call 770-207-HELP.