COVID-19 vaccines are actively being administered, Washington State is opening back up, and yet many Whidbey neighbors are struggling from the impacts of the continued pandemic. Goosefoot Community Fund and Whidbey Community Foundation have partnered to raise funds for the Whidbey Island Essential Needs Program with a mission to keep our Whidbey neighbors housed, keep them working and help them through emergencies.
All too often residents face emergency needs where no existing assistance is available. Donations to the Essential Needs Program will help fill gaps for Whidbey Island households that aren’t met through existing funding streams. Examples of direct assistance include: child care subsidies, utilities, rental assistance, aid to maintain employment, one-time extraordinary expenses and more. Goosefoot and WCF are working with The Opportunity Council Island County Service Center to administer funds directly to Whidbey households.
The fundraiser was seeded with $50,000 ($25,000 each from Goosefoot and WCF) with a community goal of $100,000. The Goose Community Grocer designated the Essential Needs Program as their Roundup for Charity recipient from April through June and alone has raised over $16,000.
“We’re grateful to live in a community where people not only recognize when people are in need, they step up to help!”
Lisa Clark, Island County Opportunity Council
With less than a month left to go in the fundraising campaign, over 85% of the $100,000 goal has been raised – totaling $85,110 on June 1, 2021. Goosefoot and WCF are asking for your help to raise the remaining $15,000 of their goal by July 15, 2021.
Goosefoot and WCF are extremely grateful for all donations thus far. In the past month, Opportunity Council has deployed these funds to neighbors needing extra support with utility bills, storage facilities and to purchase necessary housing and childcare essentials.
Donate online at goosefoot.org/essential-needs/ or whidbeyfoundation.org/essential-needs-program/. Checks can be sent directly to either organization indicating “Essential Needs Program”.
About the Opportunity Council
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. Learn more about the Opportunity Council at oppco.org.