KP Bischoff food bank reopens

Rick Sorrels

KP Bischoff volunteer Chris Copeland shows off the newly-filled shelves during the grand opening of the food bank in Home. Photo by Ed Johnson, KP News

The grand opening for the KP Bischoff Food Bank took place on June 21st. Its new location is 1916 Key Peninsula Highway, across the street from the Home fire station.

The Bischoff Food bank was originally started at the Key Peninsula Lutheran Church, where it remained for seven years until it was absorbed by the FISH food bank system and moved to Key Center in May 2013. In March 2014, FISH moved the food bank to a portable, semi-truck/trailer operation relocated to the parking lot for the LDS Church at SR-302 and 134th Avenue.

The volunteers who had run the food bank for its first eight years did not follow FISH’s streamlined portable operations. Under FISH, the hours of operation were also cut back from seven days a week in Key Center to only Friday and Saturday for the portable operation.

The displaced volunteers, led by Kimberly Miller, were left out, and after hearing complaints concerning the new FISH operation and transportation difficulties for needy persons trying to travel there, they were charged with a new resolve to re-create a better food bank in the model of the original, she said.

Hours of operation are 2 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Miller and her crew already have obtained their business license and created a nonprofit corporation. A church on the other side of Pierce County will act as their parent organization until their 501c3 application is fully processed. This allows tax write-offs for donations now, instead of waiting, organizers said.

Affiliations have been established with Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline, Emergency Food Network and Peninsula Market at Lake Kathryn. A bountiful supply of food is promised.

FISH never registered the names Bischoff Food Bank or Key Peninsula Bischoff Food Bank, so they were available for use. The formal registered name for the new food bank is Key Peninsula Bischoff Food Bank, Inc.

Organizers said the three buildings at the new location will allow room to collect and distribute more clothing, appliances, furniture, beds, et cetera. This additional service and free distribution to those in need were started at the Key Center location, but were severely limited due to space requirements.

Individuals or businesses that would like to donate either time or money can contact Miller at (425) 444-2374. A web page and Facebook account are being established.