FISH Seeks New Dayton Property
On Sept. 30, 2025, the Friends in Service Helping (FISH) Mound House Thrift Store location closed its doors after more than a decade in operation. However, that was not the end of an era – just the closing of one chapter. FISH Executive Director Jim Peckham said the organization is now seeking a more permanent property in Dayton.
Since 1979, FISH’s mission has been to provide food, instruction, shelter, and healthcare to community members in need so that they may improve their self-sufficiency. The thrift stores have played a key role in supporting this mission, generating funds for food, medicine and other essential services while also providing clothing, furnishings and resources to Northern Nevada residents.
The Mound House location, while long-serving, was not ideal for accessibility or visibility, so the FISH team hopes to find a new Dayton property with easier access, lower speed limits, greater visibility, and space to grow community programs.
“Our preference is to purchase property … if we have a couple of acres, then we would have a thrift store as well as our social services – food bank and counseling services in addition,” Peckham explained.
In the meantime, FISH is partnering with CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Dayton to continue offering limited services while they search for a new locaiton.
Peckham said what folks may not realize is that FISH also serves as a training hub for doctors, nurses, students, social workers and the like. The nonprofit relies on community support – not government funding – to support more than 6,500 annually people across Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey Counties. This is accomplished by fewer than 30 staff members and 400 volunteers. And an impressive 95 cents of every dollar donated to FISH or spent at its thrift stores goes back into their community services.
“We do a lot of things that people don’t realize,” Peckham said. “We have a free medical clinic and free dental clinic. We help people with their utilities. We’ve got students housing in Carson City. We give away water heaters. We help people through drug treatment programs.”
Peckham said their Dayton property search includes both vacant land and lots with existing structures. While utilities already in place would simplify setup, Peckham noted the team is flexible and open to building new or retrofitting an existing facility if the right property becomes available.
If community members know of potential properties FISH might consider, please contact info@nvfish.com or 775-882-3474. To donate, visit www.nvfish.com and consider attending the Oct. 25 Serve Well Fundraiser Dinner at Carson City Community Center. Tickets are available at www.nvfish.com/event-details-registration/servewell.
“God has got a plan for us and it will all come together when it needs to come together,” Peckham concluded.
