Weekly Update from Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support

WFCIS: Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support

February 10, 2026

Though our traditions are diverse, we share the value of celebrating and defending our immigrant neighbors.

Food Donations for Tuesday, February 17, 2026

First Congregational Church North Social Hall 10:45 – 11:45 

Once a month donation for Feb 10: Packages of dried chile peppers

 Alternating item for February 10: Packages of corn tortillas

 Donations we will continue to appreciate EVERY week are:

·        Eggs, yogurt, queso, and mozzarella cheese

·        Cilantro, peppers, Roma tomatoes, tomatillos

·        Cutie oranges, bananas, limes 

No diapers, rice or beans this week! You were so generous today and we do not have a large storage area!!

Volunteering with WFCIS

A special note from a clergy member: “I really appreciate how the team has been able to manage this ministry. It is a gift that people are able to “do something” when there seems so little, we’re able to do in these times.”

Those of us working across the WFCIS tasks want to echo the feelings expressed by this clergy member – we are amazed each week at the caring, camaraderie, and just getting to know each other that happens on Tuesdays. The sign-ups below are offered to ensure that we can work together efficiently and that each person can feel their time is valued. We encourage you to think about signing up for twice a month and then letting others sign-up. If you are called to be there more frequently, you are welcome to just come and joinin. Check-in with Sharon when you arrive, please.  

Volunteering with WFCIS

 If you have a vehicle that can hold 20 or more boxes, sign up here to transport boxes from the food bank to the First Congregational Church between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays during the month of March:  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-62288541-transport

If you would like to work on a team to organize donations, label boxes and fill boxes from 10:45 – 12:45 on Tuesdays during the month of March, sign-up here:

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-62288541-transport

If you would like to know more about delivering boxes throughout the county, contact Annette Holcomb at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com.

A Special Volunteer Request

We are living in a world that requires we guarantee the safety of the families we serve and our volunteers. If you have expertise in this area or would be willing to be a researcher about how we can stay as current as possible, please contact Sharon Camblin at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com

An Invitation from Community2Community   

Community2Community is sponsoring a special program we would like to bring to your attention. C2C is holding a Dignity Dialogue on ICE in Whatcom County. This participatory event invites voters, allies, and community members to gather and discuss this critical human rights issue impacting us locally and nationally, eroding our community safety and local food system. C2C will explore the history of immigration enforcement and actions in Whatcom County over the past 20 years and then commit to taking action. You can learn more from the C2C Immigrant Solidarity Team at immigrationsolidarity@foodjustice.org.

When: 2 to 6 pm Sunday 2/15

Where: 1319 Cornwall Ave Suite 101 (C2C’s Downtown Centro) 

Supporting our immigrant neighbors is a community effort!

Provide funding for legal services and rent support: IRIS, Immigrant Resources, and Immediate Support, www.irisnw.org

Become trained as an ICE observer: WAISN, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, www.waisn.org

Become a trained accompaniment driver for those attending court hearings: WAISN, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, www.waisn.org

Support groups that are providing information for the community and immigrant families:

·         League of Women Voters Immigrant Committee,  https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/immigration

·         Northwest Immigration Rights Project, NWRIP, www.nwrip.org

·         RenewNW, renew-nw.org. A new non-profit hoping to provide a coordinating information hub for immigrants.

Non-violent Political Action: Indivisible Bellingham, www.indivisiblebellingham.org