Camp United We Stand Moving Needs, January 2026

Announcements from the January 2026 Meeting

• Advocacy
  • Essentials First is having their first ever advocacy day on January 26, focused on hygiene insecurity. Hygiene items are not covered by SNAP or TANF, so private action is critical in making them available. Register here.
  • FAN’s 2026 legislative priorities are now available on the FAN website in the Advocacy drop-down menu. You can sign up for weekly emails with advocacy opportunities here. FAN would love to have everyone at their Interfaith Advocacy Day on Thursday, Feb. 12, in Olympia. Sign up at the FAN website at fanwa.org
  • Bellevue City Council will be looking at a draft around affordable housing on Feb. 3. More information is available from Elizabeth Maupin, eli410maupin@gmail.com.
• Volunteer opportunities
  • Sophia Way is setting up a support network. Contact Jean Harris at Aldersgate United Methodist for more information.
  • Unity of Bellevue answered the call from Porchlight for coats and urges others to do the same.
  • Little Free Pantries are an excellent path for addressing current food needs. The Little Free Pantry at Unity of Bellevue needs donations.
  • At the November EISCC meeting, we identified things volunteers could do to help families who are afraid to leave their homes. A coordinator is needed for food deliveries. Contact eastsideinterfaith@gmail.com to volunteer.
• Skill Sharing
  • Essentials First has started an Essential Skills program. Sewing instructors and supplies are welcome. Volunteer at essentialsfirst.org.
  • Mama’s Hands is looking for volunteers for after-school tutoring. Contact Star Lalario at star@mammashands.org or 206-719-0335.
  • The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice needs volunteers for immigrant accompaniment. The Jewish Coalition can be reached through the WAISN Hotline (1-844-724-3737) or through Andrea Soroko Naar (andrea@jewishcoalition.org).
• Events
  • Nourishing Networks is having its spring Networkshop on March 21 at the Together Center, 9 am to 1 pm. Register here.
  • Star Lalario can coordinate group visits to Mama’s Hands. Contact her at star@mammashands.org or 206-719-0335.
• Other opportunities
  • Tammy Waddell brought news about East King Rise, a network supporting our immigrant neighbors. Learn more at linktr.ee/eastkingrise or by email at eastkingrapidresponse@gmail.com.
    • The hotline for reporting ICE activity in East King County is 425-361-0808.
    • The group is involved in four primary activities:
      • WAISN Rapid Response (documenting and bearing witness to ICE activity)
      • NDLON Adopt a Day Labor Corner (supporting day laborers)
      • WA Whistles (whistles are a great tool for community defense)
      • WA Neighborhood Defense (know your rights canvassing for businesses)
    • A packet of support materials is available here.
  • Elizabeth Maupin is looking for part-time help on the newsletter of the Issaquah Sammamish Interfaith Network. Contact her at eli410maupin@gmail.com.
  • The Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger has a presentation around changing the narrative on homelessness and hunger and also on accompaniment for the homeless. Contact Elizabeth Maupin (eli410maupin@gmail.com) if you are interested in seeing these materials.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Members of Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council (“EISCC”) believe we are guided by the moving of God’s spirit in our community to work together in a spirit of caring and celebration. We honor and respect each other’s religious heritages, welcome and pray for each other, and share information about pressing community needs.

EISCC members represent dozens of Eastside congregations and meet monthly on the second Tuesdays at noon at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006.  map and directions, with lunch provided.  Currently meeting in person and via Zoom. 

We provide a forum to educate, advocate, initiate, coordinate, and support through task forces and other means, to work for the common good, and to address human needs and improve the quality of life of the citizens living in the eastside communities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Renton, and Redmond.

Linda Hillesheim, EISCC board member, represents the eastside faith community on the board of Eastside Human Services Forum.

EISCC sponsors one sub-agency – Congregations for Kids, which provides school supplies for children in Bellevue schools.  Three prior EISCC sub-agencies now operate independently: Congregations for the Homeless, and The Sophia way support homeless men, women and children  on the eastside and also operate the Eastside Winter Shelters for men, and for women and children.  Recently independent sub-agency Backpack Meals For Kids now aligned with Backpack Brigade. provides supplemental nutrition for Bellevue school children.

EISCC sponsors the Eastside Emergency Services Fund administered through Hopelink.

EISCC is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, EIN 94-3036001.