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FISH volunteer gets paid with smiles

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Contributed by: Rebecca Zimmerman/YourHub.com on 5/21/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of Broomfield & Westminster page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.

With a helping heart and a smile, Wendy Fiedler comes to FISH, Inc. on an almost-daily basis, energized and ready to help those in need.

Fiedler, a Broomfield resident and volunteer and board member at FISH, said she has been working at the food bank, which serves residents of Broomfield County, for the past 12 years.

"I started volunteering through my church, Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church," said Fiedler. "I helped make Christmas food baskets."

FISH only has one paid employee - Shirley McGuiness, president of FISH. The rest of the staff is all volunteers.

Fiedler said she enjoyed volunteering so much that she spoke with McGuiness to see how she could help more.

Since then, Fiedler has been involved in many aspects of the food bank. One of the tasks she is in charge of is helping put an emergency management plan in place for Broomfield. She said FISH was asked by Broomfield to help supply food to residents in case of emergency. FISH has a constant stock of food set aside for this purpose.

"We are part of the task force," Fiedler said. "I feel really good. If an emergency happens, we could handle it."

Fiedler volunteers about 10 to 15 hours a week on average. She said it also becomes a family affair - her husband and two sons will also volunteer a few days a week.

"During the holidays it can be a solid 40 hours or more," said Fiedler.

Fiedler said she acts as a community liaison, giving tours of the food bank, speaking to church congregations, Girl Scout/Boy Scout troops and businesses. Fielder also likes going with drivers to specific food distribution sites.

"We will deliver food to people in retirement communities or mobile home parks, where people qualify to receive food, but are homebound and can't make it in to FISH," said Fiedler.

FISH, located at 12 Garden Center, is set up to mimic a grocery store so volunteers can easily find items to put food baskets together. Those who qualify to receive food fill out a food basket check list and the volunteers put the baskets together. The recipients then come to pick up the food. People in need are sometimes referred to FISH through health and human services or churches. Fiedler said FISH receives food from many sources, but have great relationships with local churches and grocery stores.

"Grocery stores will give us old bread, cans and produce," said Fiedler. "It's a wonderful relationship."

On May 16, volunteers were busy putting together food baskets for Elder Share Day. The event takes place on the first and third Fridays of the month and senior citizens can come and receive a food basket.

"I enjoy helping with Elder Share Day," Fiedler said. "It gets pretty crowded and gives senior citizens a chance to socialize."

Fielder said FISH's clientele is growing.

"There has been a downturn in the economy and more people need us," said Fielder. "We are not about a lot of fuss; we just do our jobs. I really like what I do and I get paid in smiles."

For more information on FISH, Inc. of Broomfield, call 303-465-1600.

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