Our favorite Family Resources
The Children’s
Pantry
A Sustainable Solution for Play and Growth
Children grow quickly, and so do their needs. The cycle of purchasing new toys and clothes can be both financially and environmentally unsustainable. The Children’s Pantry provides a simple, eco-friendly solution—families can donate outgrown items, trade for something new, or take what they need. By keeping toys and clothing in circulation, we not only reduce waste but also ensure that every child has access to materials that encourage creativity and development.
Nourishing Our Community
Food insecurity is an often unseen struggle in our community. Hunger can create significant barriers to a child’s ability to learn, play, and thrive. The Children’s Pantry offers a confidential and community-supported food exchange where families can donate, trade, or take nonperishable, unexpired food items. By working together, we can ensure that no child goes without nourishment.
At Lopez Children’s Center, we believe that care extends beyond the classroom and into the daily lives of the children and families we serve. With this commitment in mind, we are proud to introduce The Children’s Pantry—a welcoming space where families can trade, donate, or take essential items such as food, clothing, diapers, and toys, free of charge.
We know that a child’s ability to engage, focus, and learn starts with feeling safe and secure. However, when basic needs go unmet, it becomes difficult for children to fully experience the joy of learning and play. The Children’s Pantry was created as a practical and compassionate response to this reality, ensuring that all families in our community have access to the resources they need.
The need for such an initiative is significant. According to the San Juan County Community Needs Assessment, Lopez Island has one of the highest poverty rates in the county. The impact on young children is especially concerning—33% of Lopez Island children under the age of five live below the poverty level, a stark contrast to the state average of 13% and the county average of 20%. The Children’s Pantry is a small but meaningful way to help bridge this gap and provide families with tangible support.
Located on the second level of Lopez Children’s Center, The Children’s Pantry is open to all families in need. We invite our community to participate—whether by donating, exchanging, or simply spreading the word. This initiative is built on the power of mutual support, and together, we can create a stronger, more connected Lopez Island where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
The Garden @ L.C.C.
The Garden @ L.C.C. is a dynamic outdoor learning space designed to engage children’s senses, spark curiosity, and deepen their connection with nature. This edible garden features a vegetable bed alongside a perimeter of native wildflowers and easy-to-pick sensory rich plants, offering young learners hands-on opportunities to plant, harvest, and taste fresh produce.
More than just a garden, this space serves as a living classroom where children can experience the joy of growing their own food, observe pollinators in action, and develop a lifelong appreciation for sustainability and environmental stewardship. By fostering child-led exploration and social-emotional learning, The Garden @ L.C.C. nurtures both the land and the children who tend it, ensuring a future rooted in curiosity, care, and connection.
We believe it takes a village to support children and families, which is why we partner with local and state nonprofits to make Lopez Island a great place for kids to grow and thrive. Through our collaboration with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, we connect families to essential services like financial assistance, childcare support, and parenting resources. We also work with community health providers to bring valuable services such as dental vans, vaccine clinics, and wellness programs to local children. Additionally, our partnership with the Lopez Island School District's Special Services Team helps ensure that children with diverse learning needs receive the early intervention and support they deserve.
We also embrace the power of intergenerational learning through our partnership with The Hamlet House, where children and elders come together for shared experiences, storytelling, and activities that foster connection and learning across generations. These relationships help build empathy, a sense of belonging, and a deeper connection to our island community.