Give Now to the Back2Basics Campaign

Because every child deserves a great start

Futures shine bright when basic needs are met.

Our community’s future will be defined by our ability to foster the health and well-being of our next generations. Our future prosperity depends on the investments we make now, and begins by ensuring every family has what they need to provide their children with the safe, healthy environment they need to grow up healthy and give back to their community. By making sure every family’s basic needs for food, housing, safety, and health are met, you can set children up for success in school and protect them from the toxic stress caused by poverty.

Do your part in building the future: support children and families.

Raising kids is an enormous responsibility, and one we all play a role in through collectively caring for our community. By making sure families have access to the basic essentials, you can help every family secure the best possible outcome for their children and do your part in providing for kids.

Make a difference and:

  • Make a financial donation: Monetary gifts allow us to meet the unique needs of individual families. Whether for for school activity fees, ASB cards, emergency childcare, or other basic needs, financial contributions make it possible for family’s to get the help they need most, right when they need it. Donate here.
  • Organize a supply drive at a business or organization: Items to collect include specific items like diapers and wipes for families with infants and young children; move-in supplies to welcome folks into their new homes; or backpacks and school supplies. Learn more here.
  • Help Stuff the Bus: Drop off donations at one of our “Stuff the Bus” events happening Bellingham at the Lakeway Fred Meyer (August 11th) and in Oak Harbor (details coming soon). Learn how to sponsor these events here.
  • Donate items to a local drive host before August 11th: Can’t make one of the “Stuff the Bus” events but still want to donate basic needs items? Stop by one of these locations before August 11th to donate.

Help Meet Basic Needs

School supplies are important, but to make sure children are ready to learn each day, families need more than pens & pencils. Donations of household goods and hygiene items help make sure students can focus on learning and not their other unmet needs.

Accepted Basics for Families Donations:

  • Laundry Detergent
  • Dish Soap
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Adult and Children’s Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash
  • Deodorant
  • Adult and Children’s Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
  • Period Supplies (Tampons & Pads)
  • New Shoes and Socks
  • Cold-Weather Clothing like Coats, Hats, & Gloves (New items only, please!)
  • Lice Treatment Kits

Basics for Babies helps keep babies healthy, dry, and fed by collecting and distributing diapers, wipes, and formula.

For Basics for Babies, we welcome donations of:

  • Unopened packages of diapers and pull-ups (especially sizes 4 and 5)
  • Unopened packages of baby wipes
  • Unopened containers of infant formula

Whether moving in after leaving an unsafe home or moving into a new home after being homeless, many of the individuals and families helped by Opportunity Council Housing Programs move into their new homes without the basic items people need to cook, clean, and make their space their own.

Accepted Move-In Basics:

  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Kitchen & Bath Towels
  • Neutral-Colored Sheets & Bedding
  • Pots & Pans Sets

Thanks to community support, more and more districts are able to supply many of the most needed supplies students need each year. Opportunity Council partners with other organizations like Blue Skies for Children, the Ferndale Resource Center, and others to fill in the gaps and make sure every child has their own backpack.

Accepted School Supply Donations:

  • Black Backpacks for High Schoolers
  • Composition Books (College-Rule)
  • 1″ & 3″ 3-Ring Binders
  • Pocket Folders
  • Red, Blue, and Black Pens
  • Pencils and Erasers
  • Pencil Pouches/Boxes
  • Combination Locks
  • Earbuds & Over-Ear Headphones
  • Financial Donations to meet specific unmet needs for families like ASB cards and other fees

Sponsors

Visit this page to sponsor Back2Basics 2025!

Give Families the Help they Need by Donating to the 2025 Back2Basics Campaign

Participating Drive Locations

Lakeway Fred Meyer – 800 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham

My Garden Nursery – 929 E Bakerview Road, Bellingham

Training Grounds – 1524 Birchwood Ave, Bellingham

VITAL Climbing Gym – 1421 N State St, Bellingham

JD Elite Fitness – 1420 Meador Ave #K101, Bellingham

North Coast Gymnastics – 1710 Express Dr, Bellingham

Bellingham Bay Gymnastics – 1414 Meador Ave #H100, Bellingham

North Coast Gymnastics – Lynden – 1842 Front St, Lynden

Gym Star Sports – 5519 Hovander Rd #109, Ferndale

Madrona Gifts – 112 Ohio St #117, Bellingham

Kulshan Community Land Trust – 1715 C St #201, Bellingham

Community Partners