Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support (WFCIS) Update

March 3, 2026

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.

General Meeting Follow-up

Thank you to the more than 30 people who attended the WFCIS general meeting last week. It is so important as a network that many voices are heard so that we can be effective together.

Key points from reports

• Donations of funds and gift cards continue to support our work with the families purchasing food and diapers beyond what is donated.

• We are presently serving 45 families (3/4/26) and have served 73 families from the beginning of April 2025. Referrals for family support come from a variety of partners.

• We are building our partnership network and new food support services are beginning to be developed.

• There are 257 people on the listserv, over 65 people who volunteer regularly on Tuesdays, and over 20 people who are delivering the food boxes.

• Whatcom County is one of the highest rates of ICE actions in WA.

New Ideas and Ways to Volunteer

• There was high interest in doing more to reach out to families in a personal way such as notes, providing birthday celebrations for children, and continuing holiday recognition. If you are interested in joining this group, Carrie Barnes-Johnson will be leading the team. You can reach her at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com with the Subject Line of Family Support Volunteer.

• Safety for volunteers and families both in person and online was an important discussion. You can be more involved in this team by sending an email to WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com with the Subject line of Security Support Volunteer.

• WITNESS and Advocacy – The group discussed the need to renew our intention of speaking out on immigration issues from a faith perspective and advocating for change. Several events are being developed for the coming weeks so stay tuned!!
  
  

NEXT GENERAL MEETING ONLINE: March 19th at 1:00 p.m.

PARTNER EVENT: Non-violent Political Action

Indivisible Bellingham: www.indivisiblebellingham.org

Community Forum on Immigration and Enforcement Activity in Ferndale

Date & Time: March 17th, 5:30-8 pm

Location: Christ Lutheran Church 5904 Vista Drive

This event is hosted jointly by Connect Ferndale and the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC). A panel of community leaders will explore questions related to the topic of immigration enforcement and how we can support our neighbors.


Food Donations for Tuesday, March 10, 2026

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

Donations that Work Every Week

• Eggs

• Yogurt, queso, and mozzarella cheese

• Cilantro, peppers, Roma tomatoes, tomatillos

• Cutie oranges, bananas, limes

• NO rice or beans this week, thank you – you were so generous last week we have a supply!!

Special item this week: Small packages of masa flour


Volunteering with WFCIS

We know that many people have had problems with Sign-up Genius. We are working on that and will have an updated version soon. If you ever have questions, you can reach out at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com.

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/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-62288359accept

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 know more about delivering boxes throughout the county, contact Annette Holcomb at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com.



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.