Food & Shelter

Everyone should have sufficient food and a secure place to stay. United Way of Whatcom County is committed to supporting programs in our area that make sure members of the community receive these necessities in order to survive.

We support agencies that provide disaster relief, emergency and transitional housing, as well as housing and resource assistance and referrals for low-income people as well as persons with disabilities. Read their stories.

Why do we support these agencies?

In 2006, the Point-in-Time Homeless Count found 1,255 homeless individuals in Whatcom County, 35% of which were under the age of 18.

The most common contributors to homelessness are mental illness, alcohol or drug use, inability to pay rent/mortgage and domestic family violence.

Whatcom County's poverty rates tend to be worse than those of Washington state. In 1999, the Federal Census found that 20% of children in Whatcom County were living in poverty.

Whatcom County has one of the worst affordable-housing rates in the state, with 47% of renters spending 30% or more of their income on rent.

In 2005, food banks in Whatcom County served over 15% of the population. More than 3.5 million pounds of food were dispersed during 210,000 visits. Of the visitors, 11% were ages 55 and older, and almost half, 42%, were children ages 0-18.

How are we making a difference? 

16,000 lbs of produce were grown at the Bellingham Food Bank’s Farm, a value of $54,000

8 women graduated from the in-house program at

Sponsored Programs:

American Red Cross

• Health & Safety Services

     Sponsors public classes concerning issues of health and safety, making vital information more 
     affordable and accessible for members of the community.

• Armed Forces Emergency Services

     Provides emotional and financial relief and resources for members of the military and their
     families. This includes emergency assistance, informational presentations and referrals.

• Disaster Services

     Trains volunteers to respond to local and national disasters and provides food, clothing, shelter,
     medical care and emotional support for those in emergency situations.

The Arc of Whatcom County

• Individual & Family Support Services
  

     Provide services to families with a member who has a developmental disability, and includes
     information and education programs, advocacy, parent training, sibling programs, family
     counseling, parent support groups, safety awareness and sexuality training for children and young
     adults, special education support, leadership development, youth self-advocacy, person-centered
     planning, behavioral support, long-term care planning, guardianship supports, etc.
  

Bellingham Food Bank

• Bellingham Food Bank Food Distribution
     Whatcom County's largest emergency food provider provides free groceries to Bellingham's
     hungry families and distributes food to small, rural food banks throughout the county.
  
• Food Bank Farm
     Grows fresh, organic fruits and vegetables for the Bellingham Food Bank and its clients.  

Bellingham Mountain Rescue

• Wilderness Rescue and Safety Education
     Trains volunteers to work to reduce the rate of serious accidents and deaths in the wilderness by
     completing search-and-rescue missions. Also offers information about mountain safety through 
     presentations and publications.

Opportunity Council

• Emergency and Homeless Child Care Program

      Provides children with temporary, short-term or emergency care in a safe, educational and
      nurturing setting. Licensed child-care providers receive training on caring for children coping with
      living in an emergency situation, and parents receive education, consultation and support.

• Homeless Housing

     Helps families obtain stable housing and eliminate additional emergency needs such as food,
     household items and transportation by offering classes in life skills such as creating and using a
     household budget and increasing skills as a renter.

• Maple Valley Inn

     Offers hot, nutrient-rich meals in a safe and respectful atmosphere, focusing on serving homeless
     and mentally ill Whatcom County residents. Also includes outreach and referrals to health care
     and social services for those in need.

Salvation Army

• Comprehensive Family Services Program
     Provides support for individuals, families and the disabled in Whatcom County who are living near
     the poverty line. The program includes food, motel vouchers, energy assistance and clothing
     vouchers with the goal of providing safety and stability.

Whatcom Literacy Council

• Free Literacy Tutoring for Adults

     Through literacy assessment, individualized learning plans, one-on-one tutoring and classes, helps
     adults improve their literacy skills and apply them in areas such as basic survival, parenting,
     employment, community citizenship and further education.

YWCA Bellingham

• YWCA Larrabee Residence Program

     Provides transitional housing in a community environment for its participants, including evaluation,
     referral assistance, case work, individual financial counseling and life-skills classes that aid
     residents’ transitions to a stable living situation.