OUR MISSION
FISH of Howard County was founded by Frank and Carroll Kitzmiller with a dedicated mission to provide referral information, limited financial assistance (e.g., for eviction & utility turnoff prevention, medicine,), and access to emergency food services to Howard County Maryland residents with legitimate crisis needs.
WHAT FISH DOES
EMERGENCY SERVICES **
Tens of thousands of Howard County Maryland residents aided since 1976.
- Information about & referral to local community services.
- Limited Financial Aid:
>Evictions / utility turnoffs
>Rent
>Fuel Oil
>Medicine
>Water
>And more! - Delivery of food, staples and hygiene supplies are handled via our partner, Columbia Community Care: columbiacommunitycare.org
** Our goal is to provide emergency aid on a
Quick Response Short-Term basis when crises arise and other assistance is not available, or not accessible in time to solve the problem.
FISH aid is intended to complement, rather than replace or duplicate aid offered elsewhere.
For longer-term, ongoing assistance, our volunteers refer clients to county agencies and other community services.
We now partner with Columbia Community Care for food donations and delivery. You can learn more about Columbia Community Care at: columbiacommunitycare.org
NON-PROFIT STATUS / MINIMAL EXPENSES
FISH Howard County, Inc. was formally established as an IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in Maryland in 1976.
FISH is a totally volunteer organization with less than 4% overhead cost.*
96% of all direct contributions go to client services.
* Overhead = phone service, helpline database service, postage, bank fees, minimal website fees. No salaries, administrative fees, or pantry expenses.
2023 FINANCIAL AID BREAKDOWN:
45% - UTILITIES (BGE, oil)
40% - RENT (evictions)
12% - WATER
3% - MISC (med, auto etc.)
HOW IS FISH FUNDED?
FISH emergency financial aid services are totally dependent on support from:
- Individual donors' one-time, ongoing and memorial financial gifts.
- Community donations, including fundraisers, from faith/civic/social/sports/school/ scouts groups, businesses, etc.
- Grants (more limited in current economy).
- United Way Contributions - tax-deductible support our aid programs by simply writing "FISH of Howard County, Inc." on donor card.
- Memorial Donations - We can help more people if you remember FISH in your will - or when naming a charity to commemorate the loss of family/friends.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are the backbone of our non-profit.
We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals/groups to get involved to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
PHONE VOLUNTEERS:
- Work anonymously from home interviewing (by phone) clients in need
- Use the FISH network to arrange for food or other aid
- Typically 1 day a month
- Training is provided and advisors are available for support
SERVICE VOLUNTEERS:
- Pick up/sort food donations
- Write grant proposals
- Serve on FISH Steering Committee
- Promote volunteer/fundraising efforts
- Liaison with local groups, businesses, churches, etc.
FISH volunteers represent a range of ages, cultures, backgrounds, faiths and experiences. Some examples:
> Seniors work from home via phone to aid needy neighbors and stay in touch with the community.
>Families or scout groups work together gathering/sorting non-perishable food.
NEW VOLUNTEERS (individuals or families/groups working together) are always welcome and much needed. The commitment is nominal and the rewards are great!
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
To explore becoming a FISH volunteer:
- Leave a message on the FISH helpline, or
- Send FISH a message on the CONTACT FORM, press button below