Dedicated to helping others, Fish Samaritan needs help

By Linda m. Linonis

The faith-based thrift shop and food pantry helps those in need.

YOUNGSTOWN — When Donna Kinkade speaks to members of local civic and religious groups, she grabs their attention by tallying what her outfit cost. That’s 60 cents for the sweater, 35 cents for the blouse and 35 cents for the slacks.

As director of Fish Samaritan House, 17 Kenmore Ave., she drives home the point that the faith-based thrift shop and food pantry features low prices on a multitude of items such as clothing, furniture and housewares. And for those who qualify, the items are free.

When Kinkade addresses organizations, she explains how Fish Samaritan operates and why community support is vital. She emphasizes these main points: Financial support is needed, appreciated and truly helps those in need; volunteers are desperately needed; and board members, especially someone willing to serve as treasurer, also are being sought. If you take President Barack Obama’s call to community service to heart, Fish Samaritan could use your help.

Kinkade came to Fish Samaritan first as a customer; she shopped there as a young mother and continues the habit today. She has been affiliated with Fish Samaritan for about 21 years — seven as a volunteer, seven years as director come November and the rest as assistant director. Aside from the inexpensive clothes, Kinkade said it was the “10-cent books” that got her hooked on Fish. “They’re still 10 cents,” she said, but added that plant books and cookbooks are just a tad more.

Patrons who can will pay for items. “It’s free to those in need ... like people on Social Security, SSI [Supplemental Security Income] and public assistance,” Kinkade explained, noting that customers need to show proof of income to get free items. “We get referrals and we set up appointments to help them.”

Clothing includes everything from baby to adult clothing, shoes, coats and so on. “The least expensive is a 35-cent top to a $35 wedding gown,” Kinkade said, adding winter coats are $1.10.

In 2008, Fish Samaritan distributed 100,000 pieces of clothing. “We’re giving out 2,000 to 4,000 items of clothing a month; that’s up from about 1,000 a month. The need has grown so much, but that’s what we’re here for.”

Fish Samaritan also operates a food pantry. “Food is part of the mission,” Kinkade said. In 2008, it distributed 250,000 pounds of food. Kinkade credited Second Harvest Food Bank with making that possible; Fish bought food at 10 cents a pound. Through Second Harvest and Ohio Food Program, Fish Samaritan gives away fresh vegetables.

The ministry depends on donations and monetary contributions mostly from individuals and churches. Clothing comes mainly from individual contributors, Kinkade said. “Sometimes when churches hold rummage sales, they donate the profits to us or we pick up what’s left for our shelves,” Kinkade said.

Last year, Fish Samaritan’s budget was $86,000, and this year, Kinkade said it would be $100,000. That covers salaries, utilities, auto and building maintenance, office supplies, insurance, buying food from Second Harvest and miscellaneous expenses.

Aside from Kinkade, the ministry has five employees. Supplementing the regular employees are clients of Job and Family Services and Community Corrections. “They work here so many hours,” Kinkade said. From Job and Family Services, individuals put in hours to qualify for assistance and from Community Corrections, they might be working off a fine. They sort clothes, unload the Fish trucks and perform other chores.

Fish Samaritan cooperates with those agencies along with Protestant Family Service, Catholic Relief Services and the Salvation Army. “We try to work together,” Kinkade said.

Kinkade said Fish Samaritan was founded in 1968 and located at 74 Kenmore, where Needle’s Eye now is. In the early 1970s, a benefactor donated the building at 17 Kenmore and the ministry moved there. Kinkade said the scope of ministry in the early days included taking clients to doctor’s appointments, cleaning homes of those physically unable and picking up prescriptions.

“A lot of people were involved ... many have passed on,” Kinkade said. Changing times and liability concerns eliminated those efforts, but Kinkade has found a way to retain a personal touch. “I hand write all the thank-you notes,” Kinkade said.

Kinkade is dedicated to the ministry of Fish Samaritan. “I’m a people person,” said the woman who drives from her home in Lake Milton to work at Fish. “I’m meant to be here ... doing God’s work,” she said.

linonis@vindy.com