When I worked in social services in Seattle, first as a housing advocate for low-income and homeless populations, and then as a case manager for at-risk youth, I got to see firsthand how many entities work together to address social problems with deep roots.

Everything from private charities to local government to community action groups, churches, and federal programs would come together to weave a social safety net for people generally without a voice.

I also got to see the spectrum of personalities involved, from passionate fighters for social justice who moved from cause to cause, to more steadily sustained advocates. Just as you can with any coworker, I also got to see people change in their jobs. Deep-seeded social problems made some eventually disappointed or bitter from seeming lack of progress, while others grew more passionate and determined.

At ShareNet we’ve grown more passionate and determined, and we have a lot of people in the community helping us who feel the same way. Progress in fighting hunger and poverty can seem slow, especially when the numbers and the need don’t seem to slow.

But progress is seen in everyone who goes away from ShareNet relieved and less hungry, and in the face of every student who picks up the weekend backpack food that we delivered to their school office. As need grows, a caring community like Kingston and the surrounding area steps up its efforts and support to ensure a strong safety net.  Community involvement is key.

Kingston used to be a place where, mostly, the social safety net available to other parts of the county simply did not reach. So, in a lot of ways, Kingston and northernmost Kitsap have done it for themselves.  There are the good folks at Kingston Cares working on a severe weather shelter for our community. There’s Food for Kids, a cooperative Rotary-Kiwanis effort raising money for summer food packs. Coffee Oasis looks to expand its reach of homeless youth in the north end.

As needs have been identified, efforts have formed to meet them.  Jane Mack of Kingston Cares says she got involved with the group when she and a friend found two people trying to stay warm in the p-patch’s shed.

Former Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary president Frederick Branchflower says, “I am involved in various community projects because I feel a great need to give back so that those less fortunate than myself may have a better chance to succeed. Every time I get up in the morning after a good night’s sleep in a warm bed, and sit down to a good breakfast I am reminded of the people that start each day in very different circumstances.

“The least I can do, now that I have time available, is to try to help others get on their feet in any way that I can. At the very least, people need wholesome food to survive and ShareNet is a great source of food and clothing for those that need it.

“We would really be in bad shape as a community if we did not have such a resource available to our citizens.”

Partnering with a lot of people to make it happen, ShareNet is honored to be a big part of the Kingston-area’s safety net. Often ShareNet has gone out of area to bring in a resource to make Kingston stronger. We partnered with the Poulsbo chapter of St. Vincent de Paul to help distribute our funds for utility shutoff and eviction prevention.

Mary Reynolds, president of St. Vincent de Paul, states, “St. Vincent de Paul, St. Olaf Conference depends mostly on the generosity of our parishioners. This severely limited the amount of money that we were able to assist individuals with in the past.

“When the opportunity to join with ShareNet came about, it truly was a godsend. By using their funds and our funds combined we were able to extend our area of coverage [to the Kingston-area] and assist with larger amounts. This often makes the difference between being evicted and not being evicted or power being on or shut off for client.

“We are a wonderful team and appreciate all of the assistance ShareNet provides us.”

Kristi Basse, KCR’s education coordinator, says, “We really value our affiliation with ShareNet, because it has allowed us to bring financial education to Kingston.”

Mary Nader, director of North Kitsap Fishline, says, “Fishline and ShareNet are joined by a common purpose: to assure North Kitsap residents have the basics of life. By working together, we can offer more food and other emergency services than we could ever do alone.

“Partnerships like ours are the key to a strong safety net, which is the backbone of a strong community.”

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ShareNet is in the midst of its annual Neighbor Aid campaign. The fundraising effort’s main goal is to provide money for day-to-day operations. The annual budget is approximately $150,000. Eight to 10 percent of the budget comes from grants, 5 to 7 percent comes from federal programs, and the rest comes from Neighbor Aid and individual contributions through the year.

ShareNet is a state-registered charity operating under the 501c3 of Bayside Community Church. It operates a food bank and thrift store, and provides emergency food provision, emergency power and rental assistance for residents faced with shut-off notices or eviction, and a weekend take-home food program for school children.

If you have need or would like to contribute to ShareNet, here’s the information:

ShareNet, 6061 United Road, Kingston.

Mail: P.O. Box 250, Kingston, WA 98346.

Phone: 360-297-2266.

Online: www.sharenetfoodbank.org.

— Mark Ince is executive director of ShareNet.