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

  • The Bellingham Community Resource Center is open Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
  • The Oak Harbor office is open Monday – Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm, (closed 12noon-1pm for lunch) & Friday 8:30-12pm
  • The East Whatcom Regional Resource Center is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9am-4pm (closed 12noon-1pm for lunch)
    & Thursdays 12noon-7pm

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

  • (360) 734-5121 or 1-800-649-5121

OAK HARBOR

  • 231 SE Barrington Ave., Ste 100
    Oak Harbor

  • Phone and office hours
    8:30am – 4:30pm (closed 12-1pm) / Mon.-Thurs.
    8:30-12pm Friday.

  • (360) 679-6577 or 1-800-317-5427

MAPLE FALLS

  • 8251 Kendall Rd.
    Maple Falls

  • Phone and office hours
    9am – 4pm (closed 12-1pm) / Mon., Tues Wed., Fri.
    12-7pm Thursday.

  • (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

FRIDAY HARBOR

  • San Juan Island Family Resource Center
    476 Market St.
    Friday Harbor

  • (360) 378-5246

  • Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center

LOPEZ

East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRRC)

EWRRC provides general information and resources for the Maple Falls community.

  • 8251 Kendall Road,
    Maple Falls WA

  • Available 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. 1455

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

ASL description of services

A current list of Opportunity Council programs and services is available in American Sign Language

ASL