KINGSTON — Kathy Melseth sits with almost every client for five minutes before helping them find food for the week at ShareNet’s food bank.

“Some people just come in for a hug…they don’t have anyone else,” she said.

Melseth is the food bank’s manager, and said her biggest concern are the people she isn’t seeing.

“If you think you should be here, you should be here,” Melseth said.

The number of working families needing help has only been increasing — whether it’s to help pay utility bills or rent, get food or a warm coat, ShareNet is there to help those in Kingston, Eglon, Hansville, Indianola, Little Boston, Port Gamble, and border addresses in Poulsbo and Suquamish.

ShareNet is in the midst of its annual Neighbor Aid fundraiser. The money raised from October to December enables ShareNet to run services and provide critical resources to local families.

One Kingston resident, who asked to remain anonymous, has been using ShareNet’s services to keep her full household warm and food on the table. Health problems, including fibromyalgia (a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain), and a rare condition which makes her allergic to cold temperatures, keep her from working. She runs her house on disabled widow’s benefits and Medicare, taking care of three of her four children and often local youths who need a place to crash.

The electricity bill to keep her house warm enough for her to be comfortable is often too high for them to afford, so Melseth is looking for enough wood to keep the house warm for the winter.

Although the Kingston woman depends on ShareNet for help, she is still always willing to share her limited resources.

“If there’s space on my couch, it’s a decision between the kid being out in his car and in my house,” she said. “How can I not? So we all try and pitch in. Everyone is real careful with resources.

“It seems to me the people with the least seem to give the most.”

Barbara Brumagin, a ShareNet board member who is in charge of donor development, said ShareNet hopes to bring in $60,000 during this year’s Neighbor Aid, keeping up with the success of past years’ campaigns.

Brumagin mails information and a request for donation to 8,100 houses in the area. Although in a tough economy food banks  and other service agencies are hard-pressed for money, she said she’s amazed at the amount this community does give.

“What we’re seeing more is people working, but working part-time or working a job that’s not giving them enough to make ends meet,” she said. “Everyone’s been affected in some way. I’m grateful and full of pride for our community.”

ShareNet also receives grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Melseth said walk-in donations are down, but ShareNet benefits from the Kitsap County Food Bank Coalition, local produce donations and grocery rescue programs. The local Albertsons and Walmart  stores donate food past its shelf life, but not past its expiration date, to ShareNet. ShareNet also buys food with donated funds.

ShareNet provides meals for the weekend to elementary school children enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program, and is looking for donations for its Thanksgiving food boxes. Stop by the food bank and sign up.

“There is a need for almost anything you can imagine,” Melseth said — personal hygiene products, laundry detergent, toiletries and toilet paper are items not covered by food stamps.

ShareNet’s funding also helps homeless people find temporary housing, and provides emergency assistance for rent and utility bills.

“If everybody just did something, [like] sacrifice one week of lattes … together it makes a huge impact,” Brumagin said.

The Kingston woman agreed.

“When you donate, you’re not just sustaining people who don’t want to work, you’re sustaining a family who can’t or who are trying, and keeping us alive,” she said. “You’re allowing me to help, with what little I have, allowing me to give too.”

Her oldest daughter told her recently her favorite Christmases were the times when they received presents they hadn’t asked for — not knowing they were picked up at a Salvation Army or donated from ShareNet.

“I tried to make sure they never thought they were missing out, to be grateful for what they have,” she said. “The only way to truly show you are grateful for what you have, is to give.”

How to help:
Neighbor Aid, ShareNet Food Bank’s largest fundraiser, is under way. More than $60,000 is needed to maintain full services at ShareNet in 2012. Donations can be made directly to ShareNet, P.O. Box 250, Kingston, WA 98346.

ShareNet is located at 26021 United Road, off Bond Road. Hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; and and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.