By Stacee Sledge
For too many of us, it’s sometimes easy to forget that not everyone has everything they need—not even the bare essentials, such as food and a warm place to rest their head.
Nonprofit organizations throughout Whatcom County work tirelessly to help those in need. WhatcomTalk has compiled a long list of area resources for you or anyone you know who might benefit from these services but don’t know where to turn.
For more information about free meals, please call the Whatcom Free Food Hotline, a project of Whatcom Anti-Hunger Coalition and the Opportunity Council at 360-788-7EAT (7328).
Looking to volunteer? Any of these organizations would welcome extra hands and hearts to help with their important work.
Amy’s Place
Amy’s Place for Youth is a program devoted to helping homeless, runaway and at-risk youth in Whatcom County ages 24 and younger. Amy’s Place provides a warm, inviting break for needy youth, as well as hot meal prepared and served by community volunteers, bus tokens and shower vouchers, as well as clothing and other essential supplies.
Amy’s Place
1704 North State Street in Bellingham
360-671-5567
Drop-in hours:
Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Bellingham Community Meals Program at Assumption Church
Free meals for the community, completely staffed by volunteers, served at Assumption Church.
Bellingham Community Meal Program
2116 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham
360-733-1380
Hours:
Last Sunday of each month, 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Bellingham Food Bank
The Bellingham Food Banks feeds more than 2,300 hungry families across Whatcom County every week. Anyone living in Bellingham can visit the food bank once a week, with no advance sign-up necessary, just a recent piece of mail.
Bellingham Food Bank
1824 Ellis Street in Bellingham
360-676-0392
Hours:
Monday: noon–3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: noon–3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Friday: noon–3:00 p.m.
Blaine Food Bank
Serves residents of Blaine, Custer, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo.
Blaine Food Bank
500 C Street in Blaine
360-332-6350
Hours:
Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Wednesday: 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Christ the King
To help ensure that no family goes without food or essential dry goods, Christ the King Church operates a community food bank where volunteer staff is happy to provide grocery and basic shopping necessities. Donations are always accepted and can be dropped off at the church during any weekend service or during normal church office business hours.
Christ the King
5373 Guide Meridian in Bellingham (Cascade Business Park)
360-733-1337
Hours:
Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Church on the Street
Fellowship and free sack lunches, hygiene items, socks, candles and blankets.
Church on the Street
901 West Holly Street in Bellingham
360-671-5507
Hours:
Wednesday, Friday, 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Coffee And Sandwiches on Tuesdays (C.A.S.T.)
C.A.S.T. is a ministry of Faith Lutheran Church, which involves volunteers from First Christian Church, Beth Israel Synagogue, other local churches, and the community. C.A.S.T. serves a simple meal of cheese and/or peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, soup, and coffee. When supplies and donations permit, C.A.S.T. also provides personal hygiene products and warm socks and mittens.
C.A.S.T
1111 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham (Opportunity Council parking lot)
360-733-3970
Hours:
Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Everson Senior Activity Center
Hot lunch served at noon, as well as activities like cards, music, and games.
Everson Senior Activity Center
111 West Main Street in Everson
360-966-3144
Hours:
Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Closed on holidays.)
Ferndale Community Meals Program at United Church of Ferndale
Residents of the greater Ferndale community gather for a free meal prepared by volunteers at the United Church of Ferndale. Everyone is invited to come and share stories over food. Donations are always accepted, but never required.
Ferndale Community Meals Program
2034 North Washington Street in Ferndale
360-384-1422 or 360-714-9029
Hours:
Second and fourth Saturday of each month, 10:00 a.m.–noon. (Dates change slightly around Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
Ferndale Food Bank
The Ferndale Food Bank serves low-income seniors, neighbors, and those in crisis living in the Ferndale/Custer area. Individuals and families can visit once a week for as long as assistance is needed and typically leave with up to 70 pounds of nutritious food. Please bring a piece of identification (simply your photo with your name) and a Ferndale or Custer area utility bill containing your address with a zip code 98226, 98230, 98231, 98240, or 98248.
Ferndale Food Bank
1671 Main Street in Ferndale
360-384-1506
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (Donations accepted Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon.)
Ferndale Senior Activity Center
Offering a gym, bus trips, pool hall, and more, the Ferndale Senior Center also serves free lunch at noon.
Ferndale Senior Center
1999 Cherry Street in Ferndale
360-384-6244
Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., lunch served at noon.
Food Not Bombs
Free nutritious, delicious vegan food.
Food Not Bombs
Corner of Cornwall and Magnolia in downtown Bellingham
Hours:
Friday from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Foothills Food Bank
The Foothills Food Bank serves hundreds of families each week in Eastern Whatcom County.
Foothills Food Bank
6210 Mount Baker Highway in Deming
360-599-2814
Hours:
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Foothills Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry
Every second Saturday of the month, the Foothills Food Bank also has a mobile food pantry at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center.
Foothills Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry
8251 Kendall Road in Maple Falls
Hope House
Hope House has been helping local citizens for more than a decade by providing clothing, household items, emergency food, and outreach.
Bellingham Hope House
207 Kentucky Street in Bellingham
360-671-8702
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Friday: noon–3:30 p.m.
Lighthouse Mission
Providing emergency shelter for single men and women, as well as transitional housing for men. Prepared meals served daily from 6:15 a.m.–6:30 a.m., noon–12:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. The nightly meal is served from 4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at Drop-In Center at 1013 West Holly Street.
The Lighthouse Mission
910 West Holly Street in Bellingham
360-733-5120
Hours:
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Little Cheerful Soup Kitchen
Little Cheerful Café provides a meal to the homeless community of Whatcom County. All are welcome.
Little Cheerful Soup Kitchen
133 East Holly Street in Bellingham
360-738-8824
Hours:
Monday: 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., November through March.
Lord’s Table Food Bank at the River of Life Community Church
Service is provided to anyone in need who resides in the Acme area. Service is free. Clients are encouraged to call for application instructions.
Lord’s Table Food Bank
4037 Valley Highway 9 in Deming
360-592-2279
Hours:
Second and fourth Saturday each month from 10:00 a.m.–noon.
Loaves and Fishes Hot Meal at the First Baptist Church
Free hot meal.
Loaves and Fishes Hot Meal
110 Flora in Bellingham
360-671-8426
Hours:
Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Lummi Food Bank
Commodity Food Program for low-income reservation residents and tribal members. Applications accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Lummi Food Bank
2830 Kwina Road on Lummi Island
360-384-2366
Hours:
Friday (except first Friday of each month) at 12:30 p.m.
Maple Alley Inn/Opportunity Council at St. Paul’s Episcopal Old Parish Hall
Prepares and serves hot, home-cooked breakfast in St. Paul’s Old Parish Hall.
Maple Alley Inn/Opportunity Council
2117 Walnut Street in Bellingham
360-734-5121
Hours:
Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Maple Alley Inn/Opportunity Council at Faith Lutheran Church
Prepares and serves hot, home-cooked meals.
Maple Alley Inn/Opportunity Council
2750 McLeod Road in Bellingham
360-739-7335
Hours:
Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors in Whatcom and San Juan Counties. This vital service meets a critical need in our community, allowing many seniors to continue to live independently in their homes.
Meals on Wheels
315 Halleck Street in Bellingham
360-733-4030
Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Nooksack Tribal Food Bank at Everson Presbyterian Church
Those in need of groceries must bring a local I.D. for Sumas, Nooksack or Everson. Prepared lunch served at noon.
Nooksack Tribal Food Bank
204 North Washington Street in Everson
360-966-3748 or 360-966-4833
Hours:
Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rainbow Recovery Center
The Rainbow Recovery Center is a recovery program designed to help mentally ill adults recover from the effects of their illnesses and reintegrate into the larger community. The center offers resources to help members meet their basic needs, such as meals, showers, laundry, mail, computer access, and human companionship. It also offers referrals for counseling and medication, as well as assistance in finding housing and employment.
Rainbow Recovery Center
209 West Holly Street in Bellingham
360-752-2577
Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m., except Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Salt on the Street at Grace Church
In conjunction with Cornwall Church, “Salt On The Street” is Grace Church Bellingham’s weekly outreach to Bellingham’s homeless and needy population. The “Salt On The Street” truck parks in the side parking lot and hands out food and clothing, gives haircuts, provides hygiene items and YMCA shower passes, and shares a gospel presentation.
Salt on the Street
1815 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham
360-303-6650
Hours:
Saturday, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is always prepared to provide food, clothing, household items, and more.
Salvation Army
2192 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham
360-733-1410
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and noon–3:00 p.m.
Soup’s On! Soup Kitchen
Soup’s On! partners with Sterling Drive Church of Christ to offer coffee and pastries, as well as personal hygiene items, laundry services, and shower passes to the YMCA.
Soup’s On
558 Sterling Drive in Bellingham
360-647-1949
Hours:
Tuesday and Friday: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Southside Food Bank at Hillcrest Chapel
The Southside Food Bank is open to all in the Modular next to the main building.
Hillcrest Chapel
1414 Larrabee Avenue in Bellingham
360-733-8400
Hours:
First and third Thursday of each month: 10:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Outreach
Provides food and toiletries to members of the Ferndale and Lummi reservation community who are in need.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Outreach
5781 Hendrickson in Ferndale
360-384-3651
Hours:
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
St. Peter Social Action Program
St. Peter Catholic Church Social Action Group has a program called “Tuesday Mornings with Our Friends,” which complements the Foothills Food Bank. Each Tuesday morning they welcome friends waiting in line for the food bank and offer them a warm place to relax, as well as a light breakfast.
Additional Sites For Senior Meals
Many sites have a suggested donation of $ or whatever is affordable, but no senior will be turned away.
Bellingham Senior Activity Center
315 Halleck Street in Bellingham
360-733-4030
Monday through Friday at noon.
Blaine Senior Center
763 G Street in Blaine
360-332-8040
Monday through Friday at noon.
Chuckanut Square
1400 12th Street in Fairhaven
360-733-4030
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at noon.
Everson Senior Activity Center
111 West Main Street in Everson
360-966-3144
Monday and Friday at noon.
Ferndale Senior Activity Center
1999 Cherry Street in Ferndale
360-384-5113
Monday–Friday at noon.
Lincoln Square
409 York Street in Bellingham
360-733-4030
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at noon.
Point Roberts Senior Activity Center
1487 Gulf Road in Point Roberts
360-945-5424
Wednesday and Friday at noon.
Sumas Senior Activity Center
461 2nd Street in Sumas
360-988-2714
Monday and Friday at noon.
Washington Square
2501 E Street in Bellingham
360-733-4030
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at noon.
