Announcements

• Advocacy
  • 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.
• Volunteer opportunities
  • Little Free Pantries are an excellent path for addressing current food needs. The Little Free Pantry at Unity of Bellevue needs donations.
• 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.
• Other opportunities
  • East King Rise is 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.

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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.