Clark County recognizes that older adults are valuable contributors to the vitality of this community. To encourage and support older adults for their contributions to their communities, the Clark County Commission on Aging established a program to recognize older adults who go above and beyond in service.

The recipient of the 2022 Silver Citizen Award is Katlin Smith. Katlin is 72 years old, is a resident of Vancouver, and has devoted her professional and volunteer time to community service. The impact of Katlin’s service with FISH of Vancouver Food Pantry particularly stands out. In 2014, Katlin joined the FISH Capital Campaign Committee, supporting the $1 million+ campaign that enabled the purchase of a new 10,000 square foot building/warehouse in downtown Vancouver. She joined the organization’s Board of Directors in 2016 and has been president of the board since 2017. Under Katlin’s leadership, FISH of Vancouver evolved from an all-volunteer organization open a few hours a day to the bustling enterprise it is now – three full time employees, more than 120 volunteers, and approximately 1.3 million pounds of food distributed last year. In April 2022, FISH changed the model of the typical food pantry/food bank, from clients receiving pre-packaged boxes to a client choice grocery store model. The Mobile Pantry is another new addition to FISH services. The Mobile Pantry takes food to clients, traveling to senior centers, low-income medical clinics and other often overlooked locations, delivering fresh produce, staples, dairy and meats.

The award presentation will take place at the commission’s Wednesday, Nov. 16 meeting at 4:30 p.m. The event will use a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Attend in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or join by phone or computer through information provided at: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging-meetings.

The award recognizes the valuable contributions older adults make to the vitality of the community and is open to any county resident 60 years or older who has enhanced the community through their life’s work, engagement of others, volunteerism and or other impactful acts of service to the community for any age group. 

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members. 

For more about the commission, visit www.clark.wa.gov/aging. 

CONTACT:
Jenna Kay, Community Planning
564.397.4968, jenna.kay@clark.wa.gov   

Susan Ellinger, Community Planning
564.397.4516, susan.ellinger@clark.wa.gov