FISH Newsletter Fall 2024
Message From the President
A new role has been added to our FISH outreach!
Anne Cushman is now our Director of Operations—handling everything that involves our building, our food pantry, our community outreach, and our day-to-day operations with clients. FISH’s mission is greatly enhanced and expanded in her capable hands.
If you are free on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning, come by to see her at work! It’s wonderful to see her and her caring volunteers greet each client by name!
—Mary Veilleux
The Community Table
In November we will celebrate the second anniversary of our mobile food pantry The Community Table. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers this past year we expanded into White Post, doing a Saturday food distribution once a month at Grace Anglican Church, another great partnership that put us in the heart of a community with food insecurity.
As we continue our outreach to those in Clarke County who cannot come to us, we also realize the value of Saturday food distributions for all our clients who work hard during the week and care for their families, with little time left to get to the pantry. Starting next year, the pantry will be open on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:30 (once a month). An exciting new partnership with Piedmont Environmental Council allows us to bring plenty of fresh vegetables to every distribution.
So, whether we are at Shiloh Baptist Church in Millwood or Grace Anglican Church in White Post, all our friends and neighbors in need are welcome. Check out our website and Facebook page for updates and come join us. For a 2025 Community Table Calendar and Saturday opening dates at the pantry, please see below.
Brunch at FISH
Did you know that the ladies from The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church are at FISH on the last Wednesday of each month to serve our community? What started in their church's kitchen has become one of our most popular days at the pantry.
Lois and Rose show up loaded with boxed brunches they prepare… fresh fruit, and snacks for our friends and neighbors. In the warmer weather you can find them on the front porch while we are open, and inside when the cooler temps arrive.
Stop on in, grab a boxed brunch (eat it there or take it to go), and enjoy some fellowship. Always something special for you and your family at FISH.
Annual Hymn Sing
FISH would like to thank Dawn Thomas for organizing the Hymn Sing at Marvin Chapel United Methodist Church on October 13! The Hymn Sing is a wonderful evening of local music featuring choirs, individual musicians, and groups. It dates back over twenty-five years and is our only official fundraiser of the year. This year we raised $1200 in donations. Thank you to all who attended!
Officers and Board of Directors:
President: Mary Veilleux
Vice President: Scarlett Royce
Secretary: Michelle Noland
Treasurer: Sarah Lobo
Rev. Jonathan Bunker
Kerry Desjardins
Beth Hanrahan
Helene Hatcher
Betsy Hill
Elizabeth Stup
Marie Walton
Director of Operations: Anne Cushman
Welcome new board members!
FISH welcomes Kerry Desjardins and Helene Hatcher, elected in 2024.
Wondering what to give?
Here are some “always needed” nonperishable items…
Personal care items: shampoo, conditioner, body soap, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine care, dish soap, laundry detergent, and toilet paper.
Food items: canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meat, canned beans, boxed pasta, canned pasta, rice, cereal, canned fruit, 100% fruit juice, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, powered mashed potatoes, stuffing, peanut butter, jelly, boxed baking products, and fresh. produce, meat, cheese, milk, and eggs.
Please no glass jars.
Occasionally specific items that are in low supply are posted on our Facebook page.
FISH and Fellowship
What started as an idea to help our neighbors with basic needs has grown through the decades. From the homes of concerned citizens, FISH has become a community hub right in the center of Berryville where Clarke County residents can come for food, clothing, financial help, and most importantly fellowship. What a joy it is to have our friends stop by for a visit to share their joys and sorrows, or just to say hi.
The relationships we have built within the community have been powerful, with our amazing volunteers making time to lend an ear and share a laugh. Our doors and hearts are open, with our volunteers always looking to fill in the gaps and lift the spirits of our community.
Check us out on our Facebook page to see news, updates, photos, and videos about our organization.
Also, our website—FISH of Clarke County–where you can learn more about us, read or download our newsletter, and make a secure donation using your credit card or checking account.
2025 DATES FOR THE COMMUNITY TABLE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
The Community Table Mobile Food Pantry will be at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1983 Millwood Road, 9-10:30 AM.
Come join us for breakfast drinks and snacks and take home milk, eggs, meat, and many other food items. From our Community Table to your family’s table. All Clarke County residents are welcome.
January 25
February 22
March 29
April 26
May 31
June 28
July 26
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22
December 20
Mission Statement
FISH is a volunteer-led, non-profit Christian ministry that provides services to Clarke County residents who lack the basic necessities of life and provides opportunities for the betterment of individuals and families.
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” ~ Seneca
Amazon Shoppers
Don’t forget that FISH is now participating in the Amazon Smile program, where you can choose a charity to receive a donation when you shop. Signing up is easy! You can search for us by typing
FISH of Clarke County, and then choose it. Each time you shop at smile.amazon.com, they will donate a percentage of your order to FISH.
Things we need:
Monetary donations
Clean, gently-used shoes and clothing (no socks or underwear)
Non-perishable food items, especially staples like sugar, flour, coffee, and tea (also see a more complete list of items above)
Donations of food and clothing can be made on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 8 – 10 a.m. or by appointment. Please call 540-955-1823 to arrange back porch donations using the lockbox.
Volunteers—give the gift of your time!
We are an all-volunteer organization and need volunteers for the HelpLine, pantry, clothing store, and seasonally, in the vegetable garden.
We will be open on these Saturdays in 2025:
Hours will be from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m. one Saturday a month.
Offering breakfast drinks and snacks, along with milk, eggs, and many other food items.
January 11
February 8
March 15
April 12
May 17
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December TBD
Growing Food
We had a successful vegetable garden in 2024 due to the efforts of our amazing garden volunteers! Planting, weeding, harvesting, and especially watering in the drought conditions were all done with care. This year we grew tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, kale, collards, and lettuce which went to the pantry and our Clarke neighbors.
A partial list of volunteers (many others helped): Clarke County High School students, Clarke County 4-Hers, Nancy Shaw, Barb Murray, Sally Megath, Betsy Hill, and Kathleen Hebbaj. Please come join us in 2025!
Donate / Volunteer Opportunities
Please make your check payable to FISH and mail it to P.O. Box 1154, Berryville, VA 22611, or give online via this link.
All donations are 100% tax deductible.
Call us to find out more about volunteer opportunities.
FISH HELPLINE: 540-955-1823
