Together with many generous members of the community, Goosefoot Community Fund (Goosefoot) and Whidbey Community Foundation (WCF) partnered for a fourth year to raise over $85,000 for the Essential Needs Program.
Goosefoot and WCF continue to work with Opportunity Council – Island County Service Center to administer funds to support our neighbors year-around, covering gaps not filled by government programs. Donations have been used to:
- assist a household to replace furniture due to a house fire
- help a senior avoid losing propane takes by paying outstanding bill
- support a couple with restoring their water service due to overwhelming medical bills
- cover cremation services for a grieving widow
Whether you donated directly, rounded up at the Goose Community Grocer, or helped spread the word – we thank you for making the 4th Annual Fundraiser for the Essential Needs Program a part of your philanthropy. Together we have helped over 500 households, the majority of whom earn less than 30% of the median income in Island County. For those that receive this support, a small amount can make or break whether they can continue to contribute to, participate in and enrich our community. We all benefit when our neighbors have their essential needs met.
“While being able to bring a little relief to our neighbors in need is a humbling joy, what truly strikes me is the overall generosity from our small community who pitch in to allow us to be able to provide this help.” –Staff Member, Opportunity Council – Island County Service Center
Starting in May 2024, the fundraiser was seeded with $50,000 ($25,000 each from Goosefoot and WCF) with a collective goal of $100,000. The Goose Community Grocer again designated the program as their Roundup for Charity recipient from May through July, raising over $20,000. Because of the generosity of our community, these funds will go directly to local households who need it most. Thank you, Whidbey! Donors can still contribute to the program at any time by making a direct donation to Goosefoot and/or WCF with a memo marking funds for the “Essential Needs Program.”
2025 Partnership Announcement
Looking ahead to 2025, Goosefoot and WCF are thrilled to welcome Oak Harbor-based Island Thrift as an Essential Needs Program funding partner, with a generous donation of $20,000 to begin in 2025.
“On behalf of the Whidbey Community Foundation, I am thrilled to announce that Island Thrift has joined us and Goosefoot Community Fund as a funding partner for the Essential Needs Program. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, with three of the island’s largest philanthropic organizations uniting to support the vital needs of our community. Since its inception, the Essential Needs Program has made a tangible impact, supporting over 500 households across Whidbey Island with big thanks to the program administrator–Opportunity Council. We look forward to next year’s fundraising campaign to raise more dollars to support our Whidbey neighbors.”
–Jessie Gunn, Whidbey Community Foundation, Executive Director
Island Thrift is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enhance the quality of life on Whidbey Island. Their thrift store sales support local organizations and charities in the form of grants and gifts. This means that when shopping at Island Thrift, customers are directly helping to support programs and services that make our community a better place to live.
“Island Thrift supports projects and programs that improve the lives of people on North Whidbey Island, so we’re thrilled to be partnering on the Essential Needs Program to provide a critical safety net to our community.”
–Kyle Renninger, Island Thrift, Vice President & Philanthropy Committee Chair
Goosefoot and WCF are extremely grateful for the continued community support. We extend our gratitude to the Opportunity Council for their dedication to helping our community members directly. And also extend a huge thank you to the entire team at The Goose for their enthusiastic support of this cause and for their Roundup for Charity Program, benefitting many different local organizations. Here’s to another successful fundraising campaign in 2025!
Learn more about the Essential Needs Program and donate directly at goosefoot.org/essential-needs/ or whidbeyfoundation.org/essential-needs-program/.
Assistance is available via Opportunity Council Island County Service Center! Learn more at oppco.org/locations/island-county/.