Whidbey Rises: Coming together to feed the island

Dear Friend,

In case you've missed it, it's been a monumental week for people around the country who share our values! Voters have spoken, and the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races and the New York City mayoral election stand as resounding rejections of the administration's authoritarian overreach and immoral policies. California voters overwhelmingly chose to obstruct the GOP's desperate attempt to gerrymander congressional seats to hold their slim majority.

Here on Whidbey Island, Indivisible endorsed candidate Anne Johnson kept her seat on the South Whidbey School board. Thanks to everyone who participated in her campaign and worked to ensure our values are exemplified on the school board. More local election results here. 

As we look ahead to 2026's midterms, it's clear that we're not alone and that momentum is on our side.

In the meantime, however, there is important work to do. Among the Trump presidency's most abhorrent policy choices has been to starve people. It's up to us to help our neighbors, and we have the will and resources to do so. Read on for how you can help us feed our island!

Whidbey Rising Benefit Concert
Join us as an array of musicians and performers from across Whidbey Island come together for a benefit concert to feed our island community. 

The concert will be at Coupeville High School's Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Doors open at 1:30.

Pay what you want and give generously! Money raised will go to the Whidbey Food Resilience Fund, administered by the Whidbey Community Foundation. It will be shared across the island through rapid, equitable grants to food banks, meal programs, and other community-based organizations, ensuring that Whidbey residents have reliable access to nutritious food during the holiday season and beyond.

Take a look at the amazing list of performers and make an immediate donation here!

Sign up here and arrive early to ensure a seat. There is sure to be a full house!

National Action
Email our Democratic senators and urge them to keep standing strong in the Trump Shutdown. As Trump’s “maximum pain” shutdown strategy ramps up, Democratic leaders need to hear we’re still with them. We do NOT have to trade short-term pain for long-term suffering and a broken healthcare system. Tell Senators Murray and Cantwell that we’re thankful they are fighting, and urge them to hold the line.

Indivisible Meeting with Senator MurrayRepresentatives from Indivisible groups around the region met virtually with Senator Murray’s staffer Shayna Daitch earlier this week. 

After sharing a video detailing healthcare premium increases and food assistance issues, many individuals called in to share their experiences with open enrollment, which is currently in process. Sharing constituent stories is helpful, as the prolonged government shutdown and employee furloughs have made it difficult for Senator Murray to get information from federal agencies.

The House has been in recess, yet Representative Michael Baumgartner (WA-5/Eastern Washington) seems apathetic toward his constituents' food and healthcare challenges. If you have family in Eastern Washington experiencing difficulties, encourage them to share their story with the congressman's office — pressure on GOP legislators makes a difference! 

For example, Senator Hawley from Missouri is one of 14 Republicans voicing support for a Democratic-sponsored stand-alone bill to address these specific issues, due to pressure from his constituents. Earlier in the year, pressure from Oklahoma farmers forced the administration to back down on closing weather offices they needed for tornado alerts. Encouraging GOP voters to pressure their representatives could help lead to negotiations.

Attendees noted how videos that Senators Murray and Cantwell share on their websites and BlueSky show that they're fighting for us. Social media is powerful, so share widely with your family and friends!

Student Walk Out
South Whidbey High School’s United Student Leaders is leading a school walkout against climate change and white supremacy. They are inviting community members to join them:

Friday November 14, 1:30pm. Meet at the Castle Park Picnics.  Read more about their demands here.

Indivisible Whidbey supports United Student Leaders as they bring attention, focus and action to important issues and hone their leadership skills. They are our future! 

Community Counts!
North, South, and Central Whidbey: we have the island covered with community socials. Join us to meet others, discuss issues, and build community!

This month, we're co-hosting a special South Whidbey Social with our partners, SOS Whidbey.

November 20, 6 pm-8 pm, United Methodist Church, Langley

We hope you'll join us as we get to know one another and practice finding common values through short storytelling in small groups. We will also share seasonal pies and crisps! 

Coupeville (4th Tuesday of every month)
Oak Harbor (1st Monday of every month)
All-island Membership Meeting, Saturday, January 24, 2026, Clinton Community Hall.

Take a moment to celebrate this week’s electoral wins on Whidbey and across the country. Then join us at a community social and the benefit concert. Together, we are having an impact!