Expressions of gratitude are important and have a way of uniting us.  During this Thanksgiving holiday we both give and accept thanks.  A while back, I wrote about how all our “thinking should be thanking” – this year I find it very important to not only “think” but also to express that thanking aloud.

To all of our FISH volunteers - thank you for investing your time to ease the burdens of poverty and loneliness.  Thank you for your smiles and kind gestures and your clever problem solving.

To our donors - thank you for trusting us to utilize your resources to continue this important work.

To our community  - thank you to all of our supporters and friends for your contributions that enhance our work and lighten the burdens of our Sonoma Valley neighbors in need.

In these last days of autumn, as we enter another holiday season, may you cherish the thanks given to you and may you be lavish in your expressions of giving thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Sandy

We are very thankful for more new volunteers – we welcome Janet Engelbrecht in the Clothing Room and Mark Scott, John Frye and Kusum Jain who have begun providing rides to medical appointments.  Please note that Kusum and John are willing to drive to San Francisco.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stan Anderson who was our utility food pick-up person.  He and his wife, Julianne joined FISH earlier this year.  To Julianne we extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of Stan – her man.

FISH is thankful for the Sonoma Valley Scouts who collected nearly 3,600 pounds of nonperishable food items for FISH earlier in November.  The Scouts have helped fill the pantry with delicious and nutritious goods – just as our demand for food increases each winter.

Registration for the FISH Holiday Food Baskets has now been completed with help from La Luz and Sonoma Valley Community Health Center.  We have exceeded our goal of 525 and are now planning for the distribution event on Saturday, December 16th at Hanna Boys Center.

No mention of the Holiday Food Baskets is complete without mention of Bell Ringing.  Our Rotary of Sonoma Valley friends continue to ring the bells at Safeway for three weekends before Christmas, Glen Ellen/Kenwood Rotary will be at Glen Ellen Market, St. Andrew Presbyterian will be at Lucky on the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December. Finally, a huge and wonderful community collaboration of individuals and organizations will be at Sonoma Market for two weekends and the week before Christmas.  Thank you as all of these groups work together to work their holiday magic to benefit FISH's food program.