Providing clothing to in need students in Whatcom County

We provide new school clothes to kids in need

Assistance League of Bellingham is best known for its signature program, Operation School Bell, which provides new school clothing to students in need in grades K through 12 in all eight Whatcom County schools: Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mt. Baker, Nooksack Valley and Lummi Nation. Each district is allotted a specific number of “slots” based on enrollment percentage of low income and homeless families. The school district liaison coordinators, who work with low income and homeless families, select the students who participate in Operation School Bell.

We have partnered with Bellis Fair JCPenney to allow students and their families to shop together according to their own schedule. Each approved student receives a $125 gift card to purchase their school appropriate clothing. Any balance left on a gift card is returned to Operation School Bell by JCPenney to provide additional funds to be used for helping more students. We have a hard working team of school coordinators, JCPenney employees and Assistance League of Bellingham volunteers who consider it a privilege to help so many students in need and we all work together to make this happen.

Our Teen Team program is a voucher program for homeless high school students identified by the homeless high school coordinators.  The students are given a $125 voucher to purchase clothing and shoes at the Lakeway Fred Meyer.  We are very excited to be able to help these students who have expressed a desire to graduate from high school under adverse circumstances.

41
homeless high school students received vouchers
$110
needed to clothe one student in grade K-12
2130
 students clothed in Whatcom County

Kids are given the confidence they need to succeed

New clothing has the power to elevate self-esteem, encourage school attendance, and improve academic performance. We are providing far more than just a new wardrobe—we are empowering young students to reach their full potential.

Providing clothing for students in need
Operaton School Bell Program
Operation School Bell Program

What's happening in your community

Have You Seen the New Banner at our Thrift & Gift Shop?

We are so proud of our new banner representing all five of our philanthropies! Every time you shop or donate to our Thrift & Gift you help support these community programs!  

Why Are All Those Red and White Gift Cards on the Wall at the Shop?

Each red and white JCPenney’s gift card represents one student clothed in our Operation School Bell program. Last year we clothed 2,123 kids in total! Assistance League of Bellingham is best known for its signature program, Operation School Bell, which provides new school clothing to students in need in grades K through 12 in all eight Whatcom […]

Bellingham Bay Rotary Club Donates $2000 Grant to Assistance League of Bellingham

Assistance League of Bellingham recently received a $2000 grant from Bellingham Bay Rotary Club for our Operation School Bell program. Working with the school district, new school clothing is provided to students in need in grades K – 12 in all eight Whatcom County schools through this program. Thank you for your support, Bellingham Bay […]