POULSBO — Whether they tend a garden for sustenance, relaxation or recognition, the North Kitsap chapter of Soroptimists are hoping local gardeners will use their hobby to help the needy this weekend.

That’s because while locals attend the civic group’s 9th annual garden show and sale, they will also be helping Poulsbo’s Fishline Food Bank. All net proceeds from the event, which takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 6 at Poulsbo Junior High, will go to the non-profit.

This is the third year that Fishline has been the beneficiary of the event and Soroptimist member Pat Van Diest said she sees the emphasis remaining on the local food bank for some time.

“With what Fishline does, they just cover so many needs in the community,” she commented. “We just feel so strongly that there’s so many charities out there that have a machine out there to generate money and these people are out there on a wing and a prayer.”

The show usually draws between 500-800 people to view the offerings of about 40-45 vendors selling everything from bulbs and ornamental grasses to garden art and furnishings. The local Soroptimists chapter, which was established in 1995, boasts 17 members, making this their biggest event of the year by far.

“We’re small but mighty, is what we like to say,” Van Diest said. “These kinds of projects do take a lot of time but we have some very dedicated ladies who just want to give back to their community.”

And the impact of the show on those in need in North Kitsap is indeed great, commented Fishline Director Tricia Sullivan. For the last three years, the non-profit has used the money from the Soroptimists to buy school supplies that are given to students of all ages in the North Kitsap School District. In 2003, the show’s net proceeds of $1,000 helped Fishline provide school supplies to more than 400 students who requested assistance.

“It’s amazing,” Sullivan commented. “Since we got the money so early, our volunteers were able to look for sales so we got a lot of papers and notebooks and things like that.”

Van Diest said the service organization chose to start a garden show nine years ago because gardening is such a popular hobby for people in America. However, the group decided they wanted to have a show that was specific to North Kitsap.

“This is primarily local people bringing in their wares and selling them and you might not see these people at any other garden shows,” Van Diest commented. “A lot of these vendors are cottage industries.”

There is also an educational aspect to the show, as organizers usually book various speakers and demonstrators each year. This year’s lineup includes:

•The Potting Sisters, speaking on colorful potted displays for summer (who are going to be featured in an upcoming issue of “Sunset Magazine”)

•Peg Tillery, speaking on garden art

•Scott from Scott’s Pruning Service, giving a pruning demonstration

•A talk on worm bins

Last year’s Soroptimist garden show and sale was held on Bainbridge Island due to construction at North Kitsap High School. Organizers said this year, they’re happy to be back at their regular location.

“We’re very excited this year to be back in Poulsbo. This is where our draw is from,” Van Diest said.

Sidebox:

Soroptimist International of North Kitsap Garden Show

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 6

Poulsbo Junior High

Admission: adults $5 , children younger than 12 free

All net proceeds benefit Fishline