From the Sequim Food Bank: Growing forward together

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 14, 2026

By Andra Smith

As we begin a new year at the Sequim Food Bank, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word roots. Roots are rarely seen, yet they quietly do the work of holding things steady — anchoring, nourishing, and connecting what grows above the surface.

This year, “roots” feels like the right word to guide our work.

Those who spend time at the food bank know how much happens quietly in the background; the planning, coordination, and care that make each distribution day possible. Volunteers, donors, farmers, partners, neighbors, and community leaders all play a role, forming the root system that sustains the Sequim Food Bank.

Rooted in relationships and support

In 2026, we are leaning even more deeply into the relationships that make our work possible. That means continuing to care for the people who support the food bank; staying connected, sharing updates, expressing appreciation, and building steady rhythms of support so we can serve the community with consistency and care.

Our goal is to focus on today while ensuring the Sequim Food Bank remains strong and responsive long into the future. Healthy roots allow us to adapt thoughtfully while keeping dignity, respect, and choice at the center of everything we do.

Rooted in community involvement

Another important way our roots grow is through volunteers. Many of you are familiar with our on-site distribution volunteers — the friendly faces greeting neighbors and helping load groceries. What visitors tell us again and again is that it’s those moments of welcome that make a difference: a kind greeting, a familiar face, someone taking the time to ask how they’re doing. For many, our volunteers are what make the food bank feel human, welcoming, and safe.

This year, we’re expanding opportunities for people to contribute in ways that match their interests and availability. Community members are invited to support food drive coordination, thank-you card writing, outreach, organizing projects, and other behind-the-scenes roles. Some opportunities are ongoing, while others are seasonal or project based.

At its heart, volunteering here isn’t just about tasks, it’s about belonging and shared purpose.

Rooted in steadiness

Strengthening our roots also means preparing thoughtfully for the future. As many of you know, I will be transitioning out of my role as executive director of the Sequim Food Bank in February. Soon, a new leader will be sharing updates, stories, and reflections with you about our work in the community, continuing the tradition of connection you’ve come to expect in this space.

Leadership transition is a natural part of an organization’s life cycle. The systems and relationships that support the food bank have been carefully tended so the organization is well positioned to move forward with clarity and confidence.

For those who have spent time at the food bank, it will come as no surprise that we have also outgrown our current facility. The steady increase in neighbors seeking support, along with the care we take in offering choice, dignity, and a welcoming experience, means our space is used to its fullest — and sometimes beyond.

We are currently completing a feasibility study to better understand how the food bank can continue to serve the community well into the future, whether that means adapting our current space or considering other long-term possibilities. This work is about listening, learning, and ensuring that any future steps are grounded in care, stewardship, and the real needs of our community.

The Sequim Food Bank has never been about any one person. It is about community. It is about neighbors showing up for one another. It is about ensuring everyone has a place at the table.

And the roots here? They run deep.

Growing together

As we look ahead to the coming year, our focus remains simple and steady: providing nutritious food with dignity and respect, supporting the well-being of our neighbors, and caring for the relationships that sustain this work.

Thank you for being part of what holds the Sequim Food Bank steady. Together, we will continue to make sure there is room for Everyone At the Table — something this community has always known how to do well.

Join us

If you feel inspired to get more involved, we’ve created a list of 2026 volunteer opportunities on our website with a variety of ways to share your time and talents, including some wonderful behind-the-scenes roles. You can also learn more about how to make a financial contribution that supports our year-round food programs.

Many people choose to give monthly, even in small amounts, as a quiet way to help hold this work steady throughout the year. These ongoing gifts allow the food bank to plan thoughtfully and respond with care.

Visit our website, sequimfoodbank.org, to explore ways to connect, volunteer, or give. Thank you for being part of the Sequim Food Bank community.