Many of our Whidbey neighbors are struggling to afford even their basic needs. Goosefoot, Island Thrift and Whidbey Community Foundation (WCF) have partnered together to raise funds for the Whidbey Island Essential Needs program, with a collective goal of $125,000 by October 31, 2026.
Together we can make a difference!
How will my donation help?
Your donations will help fill gaps for Whidbey Island households that aren’t met through existing funding streams.
Examples of assistance include:
• child care subsidies
• utilities
• basic furnishings
• one-time extraordinary expenses
How WILL WE REACH 125K?
• $25K from Goosefoot
• $25K from WCF
• $20K from Island Thrift
• $55K from the community!
As funds are raised they will be deployed to Whidbey households directly through The Opportunity Council Island County Service Center.
How can I
donate?
• Roundup for Charity at the Goose Grocer during the months of April & August
• Donate at goosefoot.org
• Donate here through WCF
Goosefoot, Island Thrift, and WCF are extremely grateful for all donations thus far, thank you! Every dollar raised goes to help Whidbey Island residents in need.
“What started as a response to the economic effects of the pandemic, has grown into a far-reaching program that provides a safety net for our neighbors in need. Flexible dollars like these create more efficiencies in Opportunity Council’s administration of multiple government assistance programs.”
– Jessie Gunn, Whidbey Community Foundation, Executive Director
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Goosefoot Community Fund, who has partnered with us for the sixth year in a row to create, seed and fundraise for this program. To Island Thrift for joining this partnership last year with a $20,000 donation and continuing their support this year. To the Opportunity Council for their dedication to helping our community members directly. And to the entire team at The Goose Grocer for their Roundup for Charity Program (benefiting many different local organizations) and their enthusiastic support of this important cause. We are very grateful to have this amazing community support!
Get Assistance
Who is eligible FOR ASSISTANCE?
• Households with a Whidbey zip code
• Household income is no more than 80% of area median income in Island County
• For a Single Household: up to $4,162/mo
• For a Household of 4: up to $5,946/mo
How to access assistance?
Assistance is available!
Contact the Opportunity Council
Island County Service Center:
• Online: reach out through the button below to fill out a form on their website
• Call: 360-679-6577 ext: 2139 or 2141 and please leave a detailed message
• In person: mention the “Essential Needs Program” when working with staff to determine needs and eligibility
“We are honored to be the recipient of this funding in order to assist our community in ways we have never been able to. To date, we have been able to purchase fridges for disabled and elders, assist with homelessness prevention for veterans, purchase home items for those moving out of homelessness, support new moms with car seats, assist with medical bills, car repairs, urgent daycare needs and much more. This means so much to our staff, who often feel frustration not having funds for the extra things that people need assistance with. The program has given us the freedom to help MORE, which is our passion! In this critical time we cannot express just how important these funds are”
– Melissa Frasch-Brown
Island County Service Center, Director
About the Opportunity Council Island County Service Center
The Opportunity Council is a private, nonprofit human services organization that acts as a catalyst for positive change in the community and the lives of the people it serves. Its role is to create awareness of the needs of low-income people, engage the community in responding to those needs, and promote institutional sensitivity. The Opportunity Council provides direct services, including information, education, and access to resources to assist low-income and disadvantaged persons in developing and maintaining self-reliance.
Working closely with Island County Human Services and nonprofits on the island, Opportunity Council of Island County administers programs including: information & referral for basic needs, family services & homeless intervention, energy assistance, and weatherization & home repair.