11/05/2025
To Our Community,
In response to concerns expressed by a few misinformed members of the community that the Chinook School has become a burden to the Port of Chinook (Port), we are writing to clarify the role of the Friends of Chinook School-board and reaffirm our mission and its contributions.
The non-profit Friends of Chinook School was established in the early 2000s to rehabilitate then-derelict buildings. At the time State-law required municipal ownership in order to qualify for grants. As a result the Port received ownership of the school for $1. We took on the responsibility of writing grants and fund-raising to return and maintain the building - transforming it from a derelict structure into a vibrant community asset.
Our mission is to
“sustainably promote the School as a unique cultural, historical, social, economic and recreational venue for the community and future generations.”
All nine of us on the board are local volunteers who contribute time, money and energy to fulfill our mission. In addition, we employ a professional marketing-coordinator and
contract with local service providers. This is our home too - and we are committed to serving it.
A REMINDER OF WHAT WE DO?
Community Food Bank
The Chinook Food Bank is one of our most visible programs, operated entirely by volunteers and serving the community twice per month.
Starting next year, we will expand hours and accommodate those who cannot access our service during current opening times. We will be introducing regular community gathering, healthier food options, occasional workshops on nutritional and cooking, supper clubs etc. To ensure transparency, all costs associated with the Food Bank - utilities, insurance, accounting etc. - were agreed upon jointly by the Friends Board and Food Bank leadership. It was also mutually agreed that the Food Bank would not be charged rent.
Importantly, all funds raised for the Food Bank have been placed in separate accounts managed by FOCS. Careful stewardship has generated over $10,000 in interest income, directly benefiting the Food Bank’s mission.
A True Community Venue
The Chinook school is the largest event center in the area with a main-hall capacity of 300 and four classrooms, each accommodating up to 40.
In the past year alone, we hosted 120 events, including those sponsored by: WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chinook Indian Nation, Chinook Port Alliance, Water Music Society, Dylan Jude Harrel Association, Ocean Beach Hospital, Ilwaco High School as well as numerous weddings, reunions, and local business meetings.
We also organize community-based events and fundraisers such as: the Chinook Markets, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Egg Hunt, Oktoberfest, Trunk or Treat Halloween, Christmas Bazaar, a New Year’s Eve Party, a Winter Gala.
We recently secured a commissary kitchen permit allowing local food-entrepreneurs to use a Pacific County Health Department approved-space to prepare and package goods for sale - strengthening local small-businesses.
Additionally, by contracting with Wahkiakum West we helped bring fiber-optic internet access to the community.
Future goals include; baseball field improvements, landscaping, beautifying the venue for photo-opportunities, parking-lot improvements, additional storage solutions.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Maintaining a large historic building is expensive. Our 2025 maintenance budget is $116,000, all of which we raise independently through membership, grants, events, and donations.
In the last five years, the FOCS has paid nearly $80,000 in insurance costs. Even though we are not obligated to do so, we have covered half of the property insurance for four years - including this year - to assist the Port and ease its financial burden.
Facilities such as ours across Washington State rely on the same kinds of non-profit support to serve their communities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
BECOME A MEMBER…JOIN THE BOARD…ATTEND OUR MEETINGS…VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND SKILLS…SHARE YOUR IDEAS
Let's continue to build a vibrant, inclusive space for everyone in our community.
With gratitude
The Friends of Chinook School Board of Directors
[email protected]
www.chinookschool.com
