BASIC NEEDS
Basic Food Outreach
Provides information and direct application support that can help families and individuals obtain food stamps.
(360) 734-5121 (Whatcom County)
(360) 679-6577 or 1-800-317-5427 (Island County)
Community Resource Centers
COVID 19 update: The Bellingham Community Resource Center is now open Monday – Friday 9am-4pm (Friday hours resume April 4, 2022). The Oak Harbor office will be closed to in-person access until further notice. Phone lines are open at both locations.
CRCs connect people with community resources to help meet basic needs such as food and housing, including referrals for housing and rental assistance.
BELLINGHAM
1111 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA
Phone or walk-in
9am – 4pm / Monday – Friday (Friday hours begin 4/4/2022(360) 734-5121 or 1-800-649-5121
OAK HARBOR
231 SE Barrington Ave., Ste 100
Oak HarborPhone only
9am – 4pm / Monday – Friday(360) 679-6577 or 1-800-317-5427
MAPLE FALLS
8251 Kendall Rd.
Maple FallsPhone or by appointment
9am – 4pm (closed 12-1pm) / Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.(360) 599-3944
For TTY services, go to www.washingtonrelay.com.
For TTY phone access call 711 or 1 (800) 833-6384.
In San Juan County, we partner with local Resource Centers to provide services
EASTSOUND
Orcas Community Resource Center
1292 North Beach Rd.
Eastsound(360) 376-3184
FRIDAY HARBOR
San Juan Island Family Resource Center
476 Market St.
Friday Harbor(360) 378-5246
Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center
LOPEZ
Lopez Island Family Resource Center
160 Village Rd.
Lopez Island(360) 468-4117
East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRRC)
EWRRC provides general information and resources for the Maple Falls community.
8251 Kendall Road,
Maple Falls WAAvailable for rent or meetings.
(360) 599-3944
Kinship Care
Offers support services for grandparents or other non-parental caregivers of children in their custody in Whatcom, Island and San Juan County.
(360) 734-5121 ext. 1246
SHIBA
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is available at the Opportunity Council to provide confidential counseling and education on medicare, health care programs, and prescription drug access, fraud and abuse, and more.
(360) 788-2725
Energy Assistance Program
Check the Home and Energy page for current information about about Energy Assistance services.
(360) 255-2192 (Whatcom County)
(360) 679-6577 or 1-800-317-5427 (Island County)
1-888-586-7293 (San Juan County)
(360) 376-3184 for Orcas Community Resource Center
(360) 378-5246 for San Juan Island Family Resource Center
(360) 468-4117 for Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Transportation
Needs-Based Ferry Passes: Discounted ferry tickets for current Lummi Island residents. Current discounted fares: $92 for 25 roundtrips for passenger/ pedestrian and $66 for 10 round trips for vehicle and driver.
There are two ways to qualify for the needs-based ferry tickets: Property tax exemption reduced fare passes (through the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office) and income based reduced fare passes. All applications for needs-based passes based on income are obtained and processed by Opportunity Council.
A limited number of bus tickets are distributed on a monthly basis at our Community Resource Center and East Whatcom Regional Resource Center.
Call for Appointment
(360) 734-5121