Bellingham, Washington, November 14, 2025 – Whatcom Community College Foundation (WCC) has announced a $10,000 matching challenge to provide crucial and immediate support for WCC students facing food insecurity. These matching funds aim to inspire community contributions that will double the impact to reach $20,000 to support WCC’s students experiencing food insecurity.  

“When we learned that the Orca Food Pantry was unable to meet the growing student demand for food, the Foundation acted quickly,” said Deborah DeWees, Interim Executive Director of the Whatcom Community College Foundation. “We established a $10,000 matching fund because we hope this match will inspire the community to join us and double their impact for WCC students who are counting on us. The need is urgent, and we felt a responsibility to respond immediately.” 

The matching challenge comes at a critical time as many WCC students are dealing with increased economic stress, including those impacted by the recent extended federal government shutdown. The WCC Foundation has been a dedicated partner in the success of WCC students for 38 years, providing funding for programs, scholarships, and student support services. 

"Stepping in with these funds will have an immediate impact on students who are already managing significant academic and economic stress," said board treasurer Bruce Burpee. "The need to help our hard-working students striving to create a better life through education is even more important today, especially as resources they rely on to feed themselves and their families are threatened or halted." 

The WCC Foundation’s matching fund initiative is key to helping over 41% of WCC students facing food insecurity. Concurrently, WCC’s Associated Students (ASWCC) have organized a Pack the Pantry food drive to help replenish the Orca Pantry, as part of the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 16-22, to create awareness about food insecurity on campus. WCC’s Orca Pantry serves as a vital resource, helping current WCC students maintain their nutritional needs so they can concentrate on academic success rather than worry about their next meal. The pantry receives more than 5,000 visits annually, and funds raised through this matching fund challenge and food collected from the food drive will directly provide essential groceries and food items to students in need. These initiatives give the community an opportunity to participate in supporting WCC’s students. 

How To Contribute to WCC’s Foundation matching gift and Double Your Impact:  

Make a Financial Donation: Businesses and individuals are encouraged to maximize their impact by donating to the Pack the Pantry initiative to secure your match. 

To contribute, please visit the WCC Foundation at whatcom.edu/foundation and click “Give Now.” Or scan this QR code: 

Link to the above QR code: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/whatcom-community-college/orca-food-pantry-copy 

How to donate to the ASWCC Pack the Pantry Food Drive: 

Community members, staff, faculty, and students are invited to drop off donations at two collection events: 

• Wednesday, November 19, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. 

• Friday, November 21, 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. 

Food collection locations: 
Pack the Pantry food collection events will take place at the east end of Syre Student Center. The Orca Pantry accepts non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations, which allow the pantry to purchase fresh produce, dairy products, and other perishables that students need for balanced, nutritious meals. The Orca Pantry can accept checks, should you wish to make a monetary donation. Or you may donate through the WCC Foundation matching gift (see above QR code). Please note that the Orca Pantry is unable to accept cash donations. 

Above photo: WCC’s food pantry in Syre Building main floor this past week with empty shelves.

Above photo: A group photo of the WCC’s Associated Students (ASWCC) on the WCC campus Students in front of Indigenous artist James (Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun) Harry's sculpture titled, ININYAX’A7N (Thunderbird). 

The Orca Pantry, located on the main floor of the Syre Building, provides free groceries to any current WCC student in need—no questions asked. By removing barriers to nutritious food, the pantry enables students to maintain their health, energy, and focus on achieving their educational goals. 

About the WCC Foundation: The mission of Whatcom Community College Foundation is to enhance educational opportunities by providing student scholarships, to support faculty development, and to assist with key college initiatives. Founded in 1987, WCC Foundation helps students achieve their aspirations by funding their education through grant and scholarship programs, with the goal of creating global citizens who live out their potential and give back to their community. For more information, visit Foundation | Whatcom Community College. 

About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington, is a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare, and business studies and offers three bachelor of applied science degrees in Applied Business Management, IT Network-Cybersecurity, and Social Work as well as transfer degrees, online courses, career and workforce preparation, online and hybrid courses, and community education classes. With affordable and accessible programs at WCC, students of every age and background can create their own pathways that align with their specific goals and interests. WCC consistently enhances its range of programs to support students in transitioning to four-year institutions and successful careers. New high school graduates, laid-off workers, seasoned employees, future university students—all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals. For more information, visit www.whatcom.edu. 

Media Contact & Public Information Officer: Marni Saling Mayer, PIO, and Director of Communication & Marketing, msmayer@whatcom.edu, Phone: 360.383.3312.