Give Now to

Back2Basics

Because every child deserves a great start

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Host a Back2Basics Drive
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Drive Locations

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 3rd, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and in Oak Harbor at Walmart (TBD). Learn how to sponsor these events here.
  • Volunteer with us: At our “Stuff the Bus” event, we need volunteers to help collect donations, as well as sort donations the following day. Check out our volunteer page for the details.
  • Donate items to a local drive host before August 3rd: Can’t make one of the “Stuff the Bus” events but still want to donate basic needs items? Stop by one of our drive locations before August 3rd to donate.

Stuff the Bus: Bellingham

  • When: Monday, August 3rd, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Where: Fred Meyer Lakeway in Bellingham: 800 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229

  • What to Bring: See the full list here

Stuff the Bus: Oak Harbor

  • TO BE DETERMINED

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 Products (Tampons & Pads)
  • Diapers and Wipes
  • New Shoes, sizes Kids’ 2, Adults 6-8
  • Cold-Weather Clothing like Coats (size 7/8 and 10-12), Hats, & Gloves (New items only, please!)
  • Lice Treatment Kits

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:

  • Adult-Sized Backpacks, Neutral Colors
  • Composition Books (College-Rule)
  • 1″ & 3″ 3-Ring Binders
  • Pocket Folders
  • Red, Blue, and Black Pens
  • Highlighters and Permanent Markers
  • Ticonderoga Pencils
  • 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 2026!

Give Families the Help they Need by Donating to the 2026 Back2Basics Campaign

Armory Pickleball – 525 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225

BaseCamp Fitness – 1616 State St, Bellingham

Bellingham Bay Gymnastics – 1414 Meador Ave #H100, Bellingham

Bellingham Jazzercise – 1027 N Forest St, Bellingham

Bellingham Physical Therapy – 306 36th St, Bellingham

Bellingham Sportsplex – 1225 Civic Field Way, Bellingham

BellinghamART – 1701 Ellis St #203, Bellingham

Blue Skies for Children – 1310 Broadway Suite 2A, Bellingham

Chicago Title – 1835 Barkley Blvd, Bellingham

Daytrip Cafe – 1400 Holly St #102, Bellingham

East Whatcom Regional Resource Center – 8251 Kendall Rd, Maple Falls

Elements Hot Yoga – 1308 Meador Ave #C3, Bellingham

Ethos West Construction – 537 E Smith Road, Bellingham

Evergreen Music School, Bellingham – 1842 Iron St

Evergreen Music School, Mount Vernon – 1404 Riverside Dr

First Fed Bank, Barkley – 1270 Barkley Blvd, Bellingham

First Fed Bank, Fairhaven – 1215 12th St, Bellingham

First Fed Bank, Ferndale – 1860 Main St, Ferndale

Gabriel’s Art Kids, D Street – 22215 D St, Bellingham

Gabriel’s Art Kids, Dupont Street – 1405 Dupont St, Bellingham

Goods Local Brew – 2620 Northwest Ave, Bellingham

Kulshan Athletics – 1726 Franklin St, Bellingham

Lakeway Fred Meyer – 800 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham

Life Force Ninja – 4201 Meridian St #107, Bellingham

Mallard Ice Cream – 1323 Railroad Ave, Bellingham

My Garden Nursery – 929 E Bakerview Road, Bellingham

North Coast Gymnastics, Bellingham – 1710 Express Dr

North Coast Gymnastics, Lynden – 1842 Front St

OppCo Administrative Office – 1419 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham

OppCo Bellingham Community Resource Center – 1111 Cornwall Ave

OppCo Early Learning Office – 1201 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham

Pacific Building Center – 2677 Bell Rd, Blaine

SPIE – 1000 20th St, Bellingham

Training Grounds – 1524 Birchwood Ave, Bellingham

VITAL Climbing Gym – 1421 N State St, Bellingham

WA Trust Bank – 2210 Rimland Dr #101, Bellingham

WaFD Bank Ferndale – 2045 Main St, Ferndale

WaFD Bank Lynden – 300 Grover St, Lynden

Gym Star Sports Center – 5519 Hovander Rd Unit 109, Ferndale

Whatcom Community Resource Center – Opportunity Council – 1111 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham

Wildwoods Strength and Conditioning – 3115 Mercer Ave Suite 105, Bellingham (Please note hours: T/Th 12-1 p.m., 3-5:15 p.m.; F 12-1 p.m.; Sa 11-12 p.m.)

*Please search business hours before donating

Community Partners

Sponsors

Caz Construction
Favinger Plumbing
Chicago Title logo with castle motif
Puget Sound Energy

Ethos West

Bellingham Jazzercise