Community Shopping Days

Assistance League volunteers transform lives across Whatcom County through a variety of social programs:

• Operation School Bell — Offers $125 clothing vouchers to K-12 students in need across eight school districts.
• Care Center Support — Provides community to residents of Whatcom County care centers who are without friends or family.
• Enrichment Scholarships — Funds summer programs in arts, science, and leadership.
• Plus, programs that support literacy, healthy eating, and houseless youth.

ALB’s volunteers contributed 29,303 hours of service in 2024.

HomesNOW! works to end homelessness in Whatcom County, one person at a time.

This dedicated group of community volunteers builds tiny home communities that provide stable housing and essential services, giving houseless individuals a place to establish self-sufficiency.

Their Unity Village has 20 tiny homes, and 40% of its residents have gone on to find permanent housing. HomesNOW! will start construction of a new village on March 25. Community members are invited to assist!

Funds will support the building of tiny-home communities that provide stable housing and essential services, giving houseless individuals a place to establish self-sufficiency.

The Chardi Kala Project bridges the gap between Whatcom County Sikhs and the broader community to reduce hate crimes through education and outreach.

Founded in 2018, this organization hosts school presentations, interfaith events, and community dinners that foster understanding and celebration of Sikh culture and traditions.

Their Homeless Hunger Project provides vegetarian Indian meals to unhoused residents in Bellingham’s tiny house villages, in collaboration with HomesNOW. They also organize an annual Children’s Art Festival and Job Fair to connect diverse community members.

Wild Bird Charity provides weekend meals to nearly 1,000 children facing food insecurity throughout Whatcom County.

Founded in 2016, this volunteer-run organization partners with 32 schools across the county to ensure children who receive free or subsidized meals don’t go hungry. Each weekend, kids are sent home with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and snacks, at a cost of only $3.50.

This work has grown exponentially, and Wild Bird Charity now serves schools in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lummi Nation, Lynden, and Mount Baker.

Blue Skies for Children raises hope and self-esteem for kids in tough situations by sponsoring enrichment programs and other essential needs.

Since 1997, this local nonprofit has served houseless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. They provide formative experiences through music, dance, art, and sports programs, and offer one-time wishes for summer camps, school trips, bicycles, and other opportunities that help children feel equal to their peers.

Founded in Ferndale in 2015, Miracle Food Network rescues food that would otherwise be wasted and gets it to those who need it most. This entirely volunteer-run organization operates weekly food hubs throughout Whatcom County, serving more than 2,000 people each week.

In 2023, they rescued over 1.4 million pounds of food — providing more than 1.2 million meals while preventing nearly 783,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.

This Bellingham-based nonprofit connects kids to healthy food in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the table. They want kids to grow up making food choices that are good for their bodies, their communities, and the environment.

Founded in 2020, Foster Hearts is dedicated to enriching the lives of children in foster care by providing essential resources, support, and opportunities. Their mission is to ensure that every child in foster care has access to the clothing, supplies, and experiences they need to thrive.

Run by the Center for Spiritual Living in Bellingham, this program offers laundry services at a local laundromat to those experiencing homelessness.

Founded in 2004, Brigadoon addresses the great need for assistance dogs in the Pacific Northwest. They provide trained service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life.

The Stewart Mountain Community Forest (SMCF) initiative is a collaborative effort to adopt approximately 6,000 acres of forestland into local ownership, to be managed for the use and benefit of our community.