Interfaith Coalition’s March 23 Auction is its Biggest Fundraiser
Interfaith Coalition, founded 38 years ago by local people to help the homeless, is 97 percent funded by local donations. The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser, the annual Hope Auction (5:30 pm Saturday, March 23 at Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham) is open to all.
Tickets ($65, tax-deductible, dinner included) are available at interfaith-coalition.org, at 360.734.3983, or at the office in St. James Presbyterian Church at 910 14th St., Bellingham.
This year’s auction goal of $200,000 will comprise nearly a third of Interfaith’s annual budget of $650,000. The money supports Interfaith programs, all of which seek to lift local families out of poverty: Family Promise of Whatcom County, CAST food outreach in downtown Bellingham four evenings per week, emergency and transitional housing, winter coat drive, holiday gifts, Kids Need Books (books are given out at food banks, migrant worker camps, neighborhood events) and Project: Warm Up (where volunteers knit hats and scarves for anyone in need).
The Hope Auction began 30 years ago and is traditionally a sold-out benefit with 375 attendees, 30 local sponsors, and more than 300 diverse auction items, including art and vacation getaways. The featured speaker tells a powerful, personal story of experiencing homelessness and finding stability through Interfaith.
“Providing homes for our neighbors experiencing homelessness deeply affects those families,” said Tara Gilligan Reimer, auction coordinator. “But this act also changes the hearts of the givers. Come to the auction. Come see what we can accomplish together.”
