The purpose of the Senior and Disabled Volunteer Services Program is to provide volunteer assistance to support safe and independent living for older and/or disabled adults in Skagit County. Our program serves as a safety net for those who require support beyond what their friends, family, and caregivers can provide, and for those that do not qualify for services contracted through other programs such as the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and Northwest Regional Council (NWRC).

Services provided by the Volunteer Services Program are free of charge. However, donations to the Senior & Disabled Volunteer Services Program are appreciated and will be used to support our program. Learn more about ways to donate to Community Action here.

To be eligible for our program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a senior (60+) or an adult with a disability (18+); And
• Reside independently in Skagit County; And
• Your request for services cannot be met by family members, friends, or other community programs; And
• You do not have the income to purchase the service(s) from a private provider.

Services volunteers may provide include: 

• Shopping/Errands: Volunteers can pick up and deliver food or prescriptions that have already been paid for. 
• Minor Housework: Volunteers can assist with light housekeeping, such as vacuuming, dusting, and general cleaning. Volunteers are not available for deep cleaning.
• Firewood Provision: We are currently able to provide firewood (as available) through a partnership with the Port of Skagit. If you need firewood to heat your home and have a truck, we can schedule a day and time to load your vehicle with firewood. If you have no way to pick up firewood, volunteers, when available, can deliver.
• Yard Care: Volunteers can assist you with lawn care, pruning, weeding, and general yard work. Volunteers cannot assist with cutting trees down or other projects that would require professional assistance.
• Minor Household Repairs: Volunteers may be able to aid with minor home repairs that do not require the skills of a licensed trained professional.
• Small Moving Projects: Volunteers may be available to assist with small moving projects. Volunteers may also be available to provide small dump runs or transport a couple items to a storage unit.
• Transportation: Volunteers can provide essential transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, the pharmacy, the bank, and more. See frequently asked questions below for more information about our transportation services. 

If you need assistance, please call us at (360) 588-5745 or email us at seniorservices@communityactionskagit.org.  

Our staff will go through a brief enrollment interview with you over the phone. Depending on the service(s) you request help with, we may set up a time to visit you at your home to get a better understanding of the project. You deserve to have your needs taken care of and to live in a safe, healthy home. And although our services may at times be limited by such factors as volunteer availability and funding, we promise to do our best. 

Volunteers are the heart and soul of this program. A sense of loneliness and isolation is common among the elderly in our community, especially among those who don’t have a local support system of family and friends. Volunteers not only help with tangible needs such as transportation or yard work, but they also serve as a friendly face and provide some reassuring human contact.  

Many find that volunteering brings them joy, inspiration, compassion, and a greater sense of self-worth. In addition to personal growth, volunteers seeking future employment may receive the benefits of work experience, employment references, and community networking. Other benefits of volunteering with our Senior & Disabled Services Program include a flexible schedule, mileage reimbursement, and working with our friendly, dedicated staff. 

Learn more about becoming a volunteer here.

Senior Food Box (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) – (360) 410-5023
Community Action’s Skagit Food Distribution Center serves as a coordination hub for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), delivering monthly food boxes to low-income seniors (60 years+). 

Meals on Wheels  – (360) 416-1500
Delivers meals to homebound seniors. Program offered by Skagit County Public Health 

Energy and Utility Assistance
Community Action’s Energy and Utility Assistance Program provides low-income households with help paying utility bills including water/sewer, electricity, natural gas, and other heating sources. Seniors (60+) are encouraged to contact us in September for priority scheduling in October and November. For more information or to make an appointment, email Energy@communityactionskagit.org or call (360) 428-1011. 

Robert M. Gates Vets Connect Veterans Center – (360) 588-5156
Provides advice and assistance to veterans and their families about obtaining county, state, and federal benefits. 

Northwest Regional Council- Aging and Disability Resources– (360) 676-6749
Support for older adults and adults with disabilities and caregivers 

Adult Protective Services – 1 (877) 734-6277
Investigates reports of abuse, exploitation, or neglect of vulnerable adults in WA. 

Senior Resource Guide for Skagit and Island Counties
A source of information about local resources for older adults. 

Senior Property Tax Exemption
Application for property tax reduction for income qualified seniors (61+) and disabled adults of any age. For assistance, contact the Skagit County Assessor’s Office at (360) 416-1780 or assessor@co.skagit.wa.us. 

DSHS/ Department of Social and Health Services – 1 (877) 501-2233 (Mount Vernon Office)
Provides Basic Food Assistance (SNAP/EBT), Medical Assistance, and other public services. 

Skagit County Senior Centers

• Anacortes Senior Activity Center – (360) 293-7473 
• Burlington Senior Center – (360) 755-0102 
• Mount Vernon Senior Center – (360) 416-1585 
• Sedro-Woolley Senior Center – (360) 855-1531 

Legal Aid
Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline – 1 (888)-387-7111 (Sr hotline 60+); 1 (888) 201-1014 (under 60). Toll-free legal hotline provides assistance with problems that affect basic needs such as housing, income, medical care and family safety.