INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK!
Grants Available!
Island County to start taking applications for Community Service Grants
Island County will begin accepting applications for Community Service Grants under the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
Applications are due by close of business on November 15,2021.
Island County Commissioners have allocated $2 million of ARPA funding for Community Service grants.
The primary areas of focus for the community are:
- Senior and Veteran's Services
- Childcare and Child Development
- Youth Support
- Service Organizations that support those services
Grant money may be used by an organization to expand its reach, modernize services or adapt to needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications are due by the end of day on Nov. 15, 2021 and there is no cost to apply.
Only one application per entity will be accepted. For those who may be inexperienced at applying for grants, the application is two pages and the process simplified.
Apply For Grant
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Free Rapid Antigen Testing Available This Weekend
Starting Friday, Oct. 15, Island County Public Health’s COVID Response Team is offering free rapid antigen testing for COVID-19.
Testing will be available to those who have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of a person with confirmed novel coronavirus infection for a prolonged period of time, or as having contact with secretions from a person with confirmed novel coronavirus. You should also be tested if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle/body aches, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath and/or loss of taste/smell.
To receive a rapid antigen test no insurance or identification is required, and test subjects will remain in their vehicles throughout the simple process.
Rapid-antigen testing will be available the following dates and times:
- Noon to 6 m. Friday, Oct. 15 at the South Whidbey Resource Center, 5475 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260.
- Noon to 6 m. Saturday, Oct. 16 at the North Whidbey Resource Center, 1791 N.E. 1st Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
- Noon to 6 m. Sunday, Oct. 17 at the South Whidbey Resource Center, 5475 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260.
- Noon to 6 m. Monday, Oct. 18 at the North Whidbey Resource Center, 1791 N.E. 1st Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
To make an appointment, or for more information, call the Island County Public Health Call Center at 360-678-2301 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or Petite Bryant-Hunt at 360-544-2161 during clinic hours.
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If you need help finding a place to get your COVID-19 vaccine, see the state’s Vaccine Locator website at https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/. Those who need further help can call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #. Language assistance is available If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Island County:
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Visit our website at www.islandcountywa.gov/Health/Pages/COVID-19.aspx or,
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Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ICPubHealth. The Island County Call Center may be reached at 360-678-2301; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Share-A-Pair Returns: Peoples Bank Kicks Off “Socktober” Campaign
Donations of new pairs of socks will support non-profit organizations serving homeless communities in Washington.
Bellingham, WA – October 11, 2021 – Building on its 2018 and 2019 Socktober campaigns during which more than 12,000 pairs of socks were donated to non-profit organizations serving homeless communities in Washington, Peoples Bank has once again reintroduced its sock-gathering effort. Donations of new, unopened pairs of socks are being accepted at all 23 Peoples Bank branch locations during the month of October. Peoples Bank will also donate one dollar for every pair of socks donated to each of the following organizations across the Bank’s six-county footprint:
According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), homelessness across the U.S. grew by more than two percent between 2019 and 2020. Washington, however, experienced a 6.2 percent increase in homelessness during this period, the third-largest increase among all 50 states. This represents an estimated 22,923 people experiencing homelessness on any given day. Of that, 2,116 were family households, 1,607 were Veterans, 1,777 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 6,756 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
“Because pairs of new, warm socks are among the most in-demand item for homeless shelters, we are asking people to purchase a few extra pairs of socks and bring them to one of our branches during October,” said Kamyar Monsef, Chief Retail Banking Officer at Peoples Bank. “We are so grateful for the community’s support of this campaign; it’s a small yet impactful way to make a big difference in someone's life.”
Peoples Bank was founded 100 years ago in Lynden, Washington with a commitment to give back to the communities it serves. The Bank contributes financial support through grants and sponsorships, and its "Community Involvement Day" program offers eligible employees up to eight paid hours annually to volunteer their time, skills, and knowledge to improve their communities.
About Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated, independent full-service community bank with $2.6 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Peoples Bank has been serving the community for 100 years and operates 23 branches throughout Washington. Reflecting its strong financial management practices, dedicated employees, and long-standing customer relationships, Peoples Bank was awarded a superior five-star rating from Bauer Financial, a leading independent bank rating firm. Learn more about Peoples Bank at https://www.peoplesbank-wa.com/.
Samara Villasenor | Communications for Peoples Bank
425-255-0890
