Whidbey Island Nourishes (WIN) is a local nonprofit with a focused mission: to ensure youth on South Whidbey Island have consistent access to healthy, nourishing food. Founded in 2007 and operating from the old South Whidbey Primary School kitchen, WIN works year-round—51 weeks annually—to fill food security gaps for children and teens from ages 18 months to 18 years.
The organization’s Weekend Meal Program is its largest, currently serving 241 students—about 1 in 5 youth enrolled in the South Whidbey School District. These weekly deliveries are filled with nutrient-rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains, supporting physical health and brain development for growing children. Delivered directly to homes, these bags remove logistical barriers for families who might otherwise struggle to access food support.
WIN also supports a widespread snack program that serves the elementary school and a range of community partners including House of Hope, The HUB, South Whidbey Children’s Center, Readiness to Learn, Pamoja Place, Ryan’s House for Youth, Camp Casey, the high school, and local summer camps. These snacks offer reliable, healthy options for students participating in youth-serving programs throughout the region.
While WIN’s team includes paid staff, its operations are also deeply powered by a dedicated corps of over 80 volunteers each week—most involved with weekend meal deliveries. Impressively, WIN operates without any government contracts, relying instead on private grants, local funders, and in-kind donations to keep their programs running.
One challenge discussed during our visit was the unexpected loss of future AmeriCorps support for the School Farm Program, a result of recent federal funding cuts to the AmeriCorps program. For the past six years, AmeriCorps members have played a critical role as educators and farm stewards. With federal support abruptly paused, WIN and its partners—especially the South Whidbey School District—are exploring ways to sustain the program and develop an alternative internship or service corps to ensure continuity in the future.
Despite this setback, WIN is proactively growing its local relationships, such as sourcing produce from Deep Harvest Farm to include in their meals, and preparing for a trio of community fundraising events this summer and fall.
At a time when both food costs and community needs are rising, WIN’s practical, relationship-based model stands out. With 20% of the district’s student population participating in their weekend meal program, the organization’s reach and impact are clear. Funding from WCF’s Community Health Grant directly supports this crucial work, helping to reduce barriers to healthy food and strengthen the conditions for youth and families to thrive. Learn more at https://www.whidbeyislandnourishes.org/.
Support Community Health Grants
WCF’s Community Health Grant Program is dedicated to improving the well-being of Whidbey Island residents by addressing key factors that shape a thriving, healthy community. These grants support projects and organizations that enhance access to healthcare, promote healthy behaviors, strengthen social and economic stability, and improve environmental conditions that impact health. By funding initiatives that eliminate barriers to health and opportunity, WCF strives to create a more equitable and resilient community—one where every individual has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting the Community Health Grant Program, we ask that you make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. WCF’s Board of Directors allocates funding each year toward our grant programs. WCF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.