James Lineweaver, Executive Director, and Pam Ketvirtis, Food Bank Manager of Families United Network
More Than a Pantry: Building a Community with Compassion
Families Unlimited Network has stood as a pillar of support in Pierce County for decades. At the heart of its operation today is Jim Lineweaver, a man who never set out to run a food pantry but found himself called to it all the same.
Jim first got involved as a board member, serving for nearly eight years. In 2019, when the search began for a new Executive Director, the board struggled to find the right fit especially as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything. Jim, already a familiar face and trusted leader on the executive committee, stepped in as interim director to help bridge the gap.
A few months later Jim decided he would apply to be the Executive Director. After going through the full application process, he was officially selected as the Executive Director, beginning a new chapter for him.
The food pantry itself has deep roots, dating back to the 1980s when it was started by University Place Presbyterian Church, which still generously provides the building rent-free.
What began as a simple walk-through pantry in a small house has grown into a hub of community care and connection. Since gaining nonprofit status over 20 years ago, the organization now serves more than 2,000 people each month who find both nourishment and dignity in its services.
When COVID hit, everything changed. The indoor pantry model had to shift. The solution that made the self-service selection able to continue was a large event tent in the parking lot. Customers could continue to shop for food safely and with choice.
With just 2 full-time and 8 part-time staff, the real engine behind the pantry is its 180 volunteers. They restock shelves, help customers navigate their options, and even return grocery carts up the hill so no one has to struggle. They also run the summer lunch program and weekend meals.
Jim and the organization’s Food Bank Manager Pam Ketvirtis share the motivation to keep going comes from a simple but powerful place: joy. “We enjoy seeing people happy,” they say. “It’s not just about getting food. It’s about connecting and socializing, it’s about freeing up someone’s limited resources, so they can buy something that they might have needed but couldn’t buy if they had to spend it on food.”
But like many food pantries today, Families Unlimited Network is facing challenges. Donations from stores have slowed. Regular community drives aren’t as plentiful. And the limitations of their current building, especially having to operate outdoors year-round, make it harder to offer the experience they know their community deserves.
That’s why they are in search of a new building, one designed for warmth, efficiency, and above all, dignity. A space where families in need can shop indoors, feel welcome, and be served in a way that supports them.
Find out more about Families Unlimited, as well as ways to get involved and support their efforts, at familiesunlimitednetwork.org.