Announcements from the May meeting

PorchLight’s mission began over 30 years ago through the dedicated support of Eastside faith partners and the Rotating Shelter Program. To continue this vital service, Porchlight is seeking a host church for August and October 2026. If you’re interested in hosting or would like more information, please contact Troy Chistensen at troyc@porchlightcares.org or 253.576.3720.

People, food, essentials

First Congregational Church is currently hosting the Rotating Shelter for the second time this year and needs meals and volunteers. To offer help, send an email to welcome@fccbellevue.org.  

Nourishing Networks is looking for more drivers to move food from one location to another at irregular times, as the food becomes available. To volunteer, contact Tammy Waddell (Tammy@nourishingNetworks.org).

A participant was looking for a free vet for their cat. Others recommended the Humane Society in Bellevue; Seattle Veterinary Outreach; and the Doney Clinic in Seattle. 

EISCC is looking for volunteers for its Program, Hospitality, and Outreach Committees. Sign up during the meeting, use the volunteer form on eiscc.net to indicate your interest, or send an email to eastsideinterfaith@gmail.com.

Also circulating during the meeting were forms to volunteer your group to provide lunches for upcoming meetings and for individuals to offer prayers to open or close EISCC general meetings. You can also volunteer for either of these with an email to eastsideinterfaith@gmail.com.

Places

The Sophia Way needs volunteers and is looking for a new location for their donation center. Check their website for opportunities as well as for their wish list of items to donate.

Move-In Ministries, previously housed at Holy Family Catholic Church in Kirkland, is looking for a new storage location. They would like a space larger than a three-car garage so that they can store enough furniture to meet needs of up to five clients per week. If you can help, contact Joy Thielsen (joyth@comcast.net).

Other needs

Elizabeth Maupin (eli410maupin@gmail.com) asked for people with expertise in shelters to advise a group in Issaquah that is setting one up.

Tammy Waddell reported that Elizabeth Maupin’s newsletter, with many opportunities and events connected to social concerns, is now being posted on the Nourishing Networks site.

Events

Hero House noted their annual block party, coming up on the first Saturday of August.

Earlier Announcements of current opportunities (please mention that you heard about this opportunity through EISCC)

The Circle is hoping to fund scholarships for summer camps for children left behind when parents are detained by ICE. If you can help, including with art supplies for their children’s summer program, contact Alicia Spinner, alicia@thecircle-wa.org.

The EISCC Severe Weather Shelter Project is looking for faith communities to do pilots this summer and join in a proposal for funding that will be submitted in the fall. Contact Elizabeth Maupin (eli410mauping@gmail.org), David Bowling (david@eastside-foundation.org), or Susan Cozzens (scozzens@live.com) if you are interested in more information.

East King Rise is a coalition of community organizations helping our immigrant neighbors. 

• The immigrant support organizations that are part of the coalition all need financial donations to be able to help families plan for emergencies and address family needs: Eastside for All, The Circle (Issaquah), Africans on the Eastside, and 4Tomorrow (Redmond). 
• The coalition needs non-immigrant volunteers for its four programs: WAISN Rapid Response, NDLON Adopt a Day Labor Corner, WA Whistles, and WA Neighborhood Defense. There is room for everyone to help, depending on ability, interest, and risk tolerance. Contact eastkingrapidresponse@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer.  
• A packet of support materials is available here. 
• The hotline for reporting ICE activities is 425-361-0808.

The Old Friends Club, which offers dementia day care and respite for caregivers, is looking for affiliate partners to offer the OFC program in their own space. Old Friends Club provides a startup grant, a toolkit, ongoing training, access to resources, and networking and sharing. Download an OFC Affiliate Informational Packet here. Please mention that you heard about the program through EISCC. See the slides with more detail here. 

Little Free Pantries are an excellent path for addressing current food needs. 

• 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).

DISCLAIMER: Any statements or recommendations made by presenters or in announcements at EISCC meetings are those of the individual or the organization they represent and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council.

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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 many Eastside faith communities and meet monthly on the second Tuesdays, lunch available from 11:45, meeting starts at noon, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006 (directions).  We are currently meeting in person and via Zoom (see the link in the area to the left). 

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: Porchlight (formerly Congregations for the Homeless), and The Sophia Way support homeless men and women on the Eastside.  Former sub-agency Backpack Meals for Kids, now absorbed into Backpack Brigade, provided supplemental nutrition for Bellevue school children.

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