In 1970, a group of residents organized into Newberg FISH Emergency Service, with a desire to lend a hand to local neighbors and families in need. Initially, the requests for assistance were quite varied; the sort of thing one neighbor would do for another.
Many requests were for rides to a doctor’s appointment, mowing lawns, or helping with home repairs. Gasoline and clothing were other frequent needs. Providing food assistance has always been a central part of our organization. One early volunteer recalls receiving a phone call for food assistance, pulling stockpiled food from her own refrigerator, and hopping on her bicycle for delivery.
Newberg FISH began to steadily grow in both numbers of volunteers and in requests for assistance. Eventually the organization decided to strategically focus its efforts to fill gaps in needs not met by other community groups. It was immediately apparent that providing food assistance was how Newberg FISH could best serve the community.
In 1984, Newberg FISH received their nonprofit status, and they distributed nearly 800 food boxes. Each year after, the number of neighbors receiving assistance continued to grow, and by 1991, Newberg FISH distributed nearly 3,000 food boxes. In 2003, a total of 16,215 individuals received food assistance. As we entered our 50 th anniversary of serving the community in 2020, we saw a decrease in food assistance requests as many local churches began giving out food boxes during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2025, we served 13,319 community members with the need in our area rising again.
Newberg FISH has undergone many changes since a small group of concerned citizens met to discuss helping people in the community, but our focus of lending a hand to our neighbors remains at the core of what we do.
