More about our Bellringer Fund

Here's a link to a Bellringer article in the Kitsap Daily News: https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/.../community-service.../...

Bellringer article hits Kitsap Daily News

Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation article hits Kitsap Daily News.

Poulsbo Lions support ShareNet with our community Firehouse Garden, as well as the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund. Read on... 

By John Macdonald and Terry Blais 

The greatest gift in Kingston this holiday season isn’t wrapped in paper or tied with ribbons—it’s ShareNet Food Bank. From nourishing families with food to helping with rent, utilities, and school meals for children, ShareNet is a lifeline of hope and generosity.

Since its beginnings in 1993 at Bayside Community Church and now at its home on Barber Cutoff Road, ShareNet has thrived thanks to the kindness of local organizations, generous donors, and dedicated volunteers. Together, they embody the true spirit of the holidays: building a stronger, healthier, and more caring community.

Mark Ince has proudly led ShareNet Food Bank as its executive director since 2008, guiding the organization through changing times and growing needs. Today, with shifts in government programs, ShareNet must purchase more than 65% of the food and personal items it distributes – a challenge made even harder by rising prices year after year. Demand for assistance has climbed more than 10% since 2024, underscoring how vital this resource is for families in Kingston.

Yet even in the face of these challenges, there are bright lights of generosity. Local farms, the Poulsbo Lions’ Firehouse Garden, and caring individuals donated more than 9,000 pounds of fresh produce this year. What was once overlooked has now become the most sought-after gift – fresh fruits and vegetables are the first items to disappear from ShareNet’s shelves, a testament to healthier habits and the community’s commitment to enriching one another. The community also helps by making donations to ShareNet’s thrift store next door. Store sales support the food bank and other functions of the organization.

This holiday season, ShareNet reminds us that the greatest present we can give is hope, health, and compassion. With the support of donors, volunteers, and neighbors like you, Kingston continues to shine as a place where no one is left behind.

For more than 25 years, the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund has been a proud supporter of ShareNet, helping provide food and relief to families in need across our community.

How to donate:

PayPal: poulsbolions@gmail.com

Online: Visit poulsbolions.blogspot.com and click the Donate button in the right-hand column

Mail: Send checks to Poulsbo Lions, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370

Every gift strengthens our community and ensures that families facing hardship have the support they need.

 

 

Legacy of giving: Bellringer fund rallies to feed community

The Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund is aiming to raise $20,000 to help those in need in our community. Your generosity makes a real difference, and together we can reach this goal.

Please take a moment to read the article below to learn more about how your support impacts lives. Stay tuned—there’s more to come as we share updates throughout the season!

 

This is an article that ran in the Nov. 18, 2025, Kitsap Daily News: 

 

 By Poulsbo Lions John Macdonald and Terry Blais

As holiday lights begin to twinkle across North Kitsap, one tradition shines brighter than ever—the Bellringer Fund. Born in the spirit of generosity during the 1940s, this enduring community effort is once again stepping up to meet urgent needs, with this year’s focus squarely on feeding families hit hard by federal shutdowns and economic strain.

The Bellringer Fund began with the Raab family and quickly found a partner in the Poulsbo Lions Club. In the aftermath of World War II, the Lions helped distribute toys to children in need, many of whom lived in Poulsbo. By 1989, the Lions had formalized their commitment by creating the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation, which continues to manage the fund entirely through volunteer efforts.

In 2016, the foundation shifted its focus from toys to broader community support—channeling donations to local food banks and charitable organizations to better serve families facing hardship. Each year, the North Kitsap Herald joins the effort, helping raise awareness and rally support.

This season, the Bellringer Fund’s theme is “Feed the Community,” a timely response to the financial strain felt by military families and federal employees impacted by government shutdowns. The fund remains a vital lifeline for relief agencies across North Kitsap, ensuring that no one faces the holidays hungry or alone.

For more than 80 years, the North Kitsap Bellringer Fund has been a lifeline for families in need—and this year, your support matters more than ever. With rising costs and federal disruptions affecting our neighbors, every dollar you give helps stock shelves, fill pantries, and bring comfort to those facing hardship.

Whether it’s $5 or $500, your contribution goes directly to local food banks and relief organizations working tirelessly to serve our community. Donate today. Be part of the legacy. Help us feed North Kitsap.

Since the end of the formal fundraising campaign last year, an additional $1,850 was contributed to the fund. The goal this year is $20,000. You can contribute via PayPal to Poulsbolions@gmail.com or visit poulsbolions.blogspot.com and click the donate button in the right-hand column, or mail a check to Poulsbo Lions, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370.