Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support (WFCIS) - Weekly Newsletter 08.25.26
We are people of faith seeking to support immigrants in Whatcom County. Though our traditions are diverse, we share the value of celebrating and defending our immigrant neighbors.
Special Stories – The Journey’s for Our Neighbors
Our WFCIS focus has been on helping families who are staying in the Whatcom area. Recently, we have been called upon to help families that are moving to other communities due to a deportation of the wage earner. One such journey included a 24-hour bus ride for a family of Mom and 4 children who then would have to walk across the border. Another journey involved a mom and son who moved to Yakima for work. Two of our volunteers went into action and provided blankets, snacks, and activities for young children to pass the time.
A note from our partner, IRIS – “I just wanted to pass along L’s gratitude for the generous care package you provided her. She called this morning to share that it’s very tranquil, has enrolled her son in school, is in the process of looking for childcare and ready to go to work. She wanted to pass along her gratitude for your kindness and generosity (heart/heart). Thank you so much.”
The donations we received that purchased supplies and our wonderful volunteers let these families know they were seen and cared about as members of our larger Whatcom community.
Save the Date Thursday, September 10, 11 – 3:30 p.m.
A Whatcom County Immigration Summit will take place at the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. More details to come.
New Fiscal Agent: Change for Donations
WFCIS has a new fiscal agent: Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. If you would like to support WFCIS financially, you can do so by mailing a check to BUF at 1207 Ellsworth St., Bellingham, WA 98225 or dropping it off Tuesdays-Fridays from 8am-3:30pm. Please note checks must be made out to Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship with "WFCIS" in the memo line. If you donated recently to WFCIS via FCCB and didn't get a personal thank you note from our treasurer, please emailWhatcomFCIS@gmail.com and let us know. Thank you for your generous support.
Special Donation Needs This Week
We need your help with three special donations in the next couple of weeks:
· Size 7 diapers
· Clean, plastic grocery bags
· Queso and mozzarella cheese
Thank you!!
Usual Food Donations for Tuesday, September 1, 2026
First Congregational Church
North Entrance Social Hall 10:45 – 11:45
We are using a combination of your donations and purchases with our financial donations to support families. Please consider making the following items priorities next week:
ü Eggs,
ü Cutie oranges
ü All peppers
ü Roma Tomatoes
Do you have a group that would like to donate beans or rice?
We are finding that the 50 lb. bags of rice or beans divided on a Tuesday morning is an effective and economical way to supply this staple food item. Would your faith or community group like to go together to donate a bag once a month? If interested, just let us know at the WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com address and a leadership member will contact you to get you on the list. Thank you to those that have donated already!!
Fresh Food Donations from Your Garden
The plums last week were wonderful. Please think about donating the extra that you must share. Any produce that is donated needs to be pre-cleaned please as we cannot do that at FCCB.
TUESDAY VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS FOR September & October
We know that vacations and travel are here and you want to plan your volunteer time in advance. Please sign up to let us know when you are available on Tuesdays to help.
For September and October:
Transport Boxes from the Food Bank (12-12:45pm):
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADAC2FA4FFC25-65014453-septemberoctober
Pack Boxes at FCCB (10:45-12:45pm):
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADAC2FA4FFC25-65014825-sorting
Supporting our immigrant neighbors is a community effort!
Whatcom County immigration-related task force and community meetings are primarily held in a hybrid format. Members of the public can attend in person at the Whatcom County Council Office (311 Grand Ave., Suite 105, Bellingham, WA) or via Zoom webinar.
· Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force (IPRTF): Holds monthly hybrid meetings at the 311 Grand Avenue location and via Zoom. This task force frequently addresses courthouse interactions and policies affecting local immigrant populations.
· Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC): Partners with local groups to host community forums, immigration action guides, and various civic gatherings across the county.
· Latino Advocacy and Leadership Association (LALA) of Whatcom: Organizes and tables at regional summits and community connection events in Bellingham and Ferndale
Whatcom County Immigration Summit at the Bellingham Ferry Terminal, September 10th, 11:00 am-3:30 pm
Links to other local organizations providing support for immigrants:
IRIS - Immigrant Resources Immediate Support
WAISN | Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
Immigration | League of Women Voters
Home | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Renew Northwest | Walking With our Newest Neighbors