Oak Harbor nonprofit Garage of Blessings seeks donations after rent notice

Garage of Blessings, a nonprofit that provides household goods and services to residents in need on Whidbey Island, faces a fast-moving relocation after its landlord set a move-out deadline of Feb. 28, 2026. The landlord’s email says the nonprofit was notified in December that it must leave by the end of February or face a steep rent increase; the email also states the owner will charge twice the current base rent if Garage of Blessings does not vacate on or before Feb. 28, 2026.

Board president T.J. Fisher said the nonprofit is hoping to raise $50,000 "by the end of the month to purchase a new building." Fisher told reporters the group had tried to buy its current space on Southeast Barrington Drive in Oak Harbor, but that deal fell through after contaminated soil was found at the property.

The landlord’s email offers a conditional option: it would forgive overdue rent for October, November and December if the nonprofit vacates the premises by the end of February 2026 and waives claims "relating to repairs and maintenance of the common areas of the building, including, without limitation, the obligation to repair and maintain the premises as required in accordance with the terms of the lease." The email also notes the lease expires at the end of the year.

For Island County residents who rely on Garage of Blessings for clothing, linens and household items, the threat of displacement could mean tighter access to donated goods and longer waits for assistance. The organization operates the Blessings Boutique as its ongoing fundraiser and runs on volunteers; it says all proceeds go toward operating expenses such as rent, utilities and insurance.

Garage of Blessings has laid out concrete ways for the community to help. Monetary donations are accepted online via PayPal or in person, and a white wall-mounted donation box sits "next to the shoes" inside the shop. The Blessings Boutique is open 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Donation drop-offs are accepted 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a request to limit contributions to six bags or boxes per visit. The organization posts items for sale on its Facebook sales page and invites volunteers to complete an application to join its team.

A person identified only as Harman said "another promising building has been identified," though no address or terms have been provided. Key details remain unresolved for the public record: the dollar amount of current base rent, the amount overdue for the months cited, the year for the overdue months, whether the organization has accepted the landlord’s vacate-forgiveness offer, and environmental details about the contaminated soil that scuttled the purchase.

Residents who want to preserve local access to affordable household goods should consider monetary donations, shopping at the Blessings Boutique during business hours, or volunteering to help with a move. The coming two weeks will shape whether Garage of Blessings finds a permanent home or faces a doubled rent bill that could strain its volunteer-run operation and the families it serves.