In response to community interest in helping San Juan County’s 58 or more homeless—and 46 or more at risk of becoming homeless, here are some ways you can help on your island and/or throughout San Juan county:
• Donate to your islands’ family resource center’s emergency fund, rental assistance funds, and funds for ferry tickets for medical appointments and other off-island requirements.
• Consider taking in renters so that islanders have shelter this winter and can continue to work here.
• Donate to your family resource center’s expanded case management program to better serve those who are experiencing homelessness.
• Volunteer: United Way of San Juan County is seeking committed volunteers to work with our religious institutions and senior centers on establishing and supporting emergency shelter for the homeless for next winter.
They would like to use a model program from Whatcom Interfaith Coalition that was implemented on Orcas last year.
Places to donate to help the family resource centers and schools to support the immediate needs of our homeless and islanders in situations of poverty.
Orcas Island
Orcas Community Resource Center
423 Prune Alley/PO Box 931
Eastsound, WA 98245
Phone: 360-376-3184
orcascrc.org
Orcas Island Food Bank
176 Madrona St/PO Box 424, Eastsound, WA 98245
Phone: 360-376-4701
Orcas Island Community Foundation
141 Prune Alley, Suite 201/PO Box 1496
Eastsound, WA 98245
Phone: 360-376-OICF (360-376-6423)
San Juan Island
San Juan Island Family Resource Center
176 Market Street/ P.O. Box 1981
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: (360) 378-5246
Friday Harbor Food Bank
500 Market St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: (360) 378-4640
Lopez Island
Lopez Island Family Resource Center
160 Village Road/P.O. Box 732, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Phone: (360) 468-4117
lifrc@rockisland.com
Lopez Fresh Food Bank
160 Village Road/P.O. Box 732, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Phone: (360) 468-4117
Email: lifrc@rockisland.com
County-wide
You can also donate to United Way of San Juan County, where your donation can be distributed to help fill the needs at the family resource centers and schools on all three islands, or you can earmark your funds for a specific island or project.
• United Way has a current need for committed tutors on all three islands to work M-Th from 3-4:30 p.m.
• United Way is always seeking volunteers on each island to help us carry out our community initiatives, which get to the root of our communities’ challenges while providing a safety net for those who need our help the most.
For more information about United Way, visit www.unitedway-sanjuancounty.org.
