By Andra Smith

Executive Director

In Sequim and across Clallam County, many families are feeling mounting financial strain. Grocery costs remain high, household budgets are stretched thin, and cuts to federal nutrition programs compound the challenge — while housing, transportation, and utility expenses continue to climb.

The Sequim Food Bank sees the impact every day. Through August, we’ve experienced a 34% increase in households seeking food assistance compared to last year. In fact, more than 30% of Eastern Clallam County now relies on our services at some point during the year. At the same time, funding is increasingly uncertain, including a $40,000 loss in federal support for local farm purchasing.

Yes, this is a time of challenge. But can it also be a time of opportunity?

In difficult moments, communities face a choice: pull apart or pull together. What if this is our moment to come together — to build deeper relationships, care more boldly for one another, and strengthen our collective resilience?

Even as food becomes harder for many families to access, much of it still exists within our broader food system, it just doesn’t always reach those who need it most. Our challenge — and our opportunity — is to move those resources more effectively, to connect people who want to help with those who need it, and to do it with dignity, creativity, and compassion.

At the Sequim Food Bank, we’re working hard to do just that.

We’ve expanded programs, refined logistics, and are looking for better ways to serve families while stretching every donated dollar as far as it can go.

One example is our Family Holiday Meal Program. For the last five years, we’ve gathered at Carrie Blake Park to distribute hundreds of holiday meal boxes during festive drive-through events. It became a beloved tradition — and it was also time and resource intensive.

This year, we’re adapting. We’re bringing the holiday distribution back to our home base at 144 W. Alder St. and integrating it into our regular food access model. Holiday foods will be available during our choice-based distributions on Nov. 21, 22, and 24, and at Mobile Food Pantry stops on Nov. 20, 21, 25 and 26.

The foods won’t be pre-boxed; instead, visitors can choose what they need to create a holiday meal that fits their family. If any holiday food remains, we’ll offer it in December.

This change allows us to serve more people, lower costs, streamline operations, and — most importantly — meet people where they are, in ways that honor individual needs and preferences.

And we’re not stopping there.

This season calls for connection, collaboration, and creativity — not just within our organization, but across our entire community. That’s why we’re inviting everyone to a new kind of event: Everyone At the Table, on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 4–6 p.m., right here at the Sequim Food Bank.

It’s more than an open house. It’s a celebration — a time to come together, enjoy live music from local favorite Bread and Gravy, share a delicious meal, and rise to the challenge: Can our community raise $50,000 to continue to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry?

It’s also a space to ask: What role can each of us play in building a stronger, more connected community?

Some of us can share time — volunteering at the food bank, helping with mobile pantries, or packing weekend meal bags for kids.

Some can share resources — donating funds, sponsoring programs, or organizing neighborhood food drives.

Others can share ideas, connections, or skills that help us grow and innovate.

Whatever your gift, there’s a place at the table for you.

We’ve already seen our community step up. Local farms and businesses are donating. Volunteers give hundreds of hours each month. Neighbors are checking in on neighbors. Sequim is full of people who care. The Sequim Food Bank is just one hub where generosity meets need — and your involvement makes all the difference.

Our work goes beyond groceries. Programs like Welcome Home Food, which provides nutritionally supportive meals to people recuperating at home, and our Mobile Food Pantries, which bring food to apartments, senior communities, tribal campus, and rural areas, fill critical gaps that other systems can’t reach.

These programs exist because we’re willing to ask what’s missing — and then get creative in how we respond.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now is the time. Start by joining us on Sept. 27, where we’ll share a meal, celebrate, and imagine what’s possible when we work together to meet today’s needs and shape a more resilient future.

Because in the end, this is about more than food.

It’s about community.

It’s about belonging.

It’s about making sure no one is left out, and every neighbor feels seen, valued, and supported.

This is a time of increasing need. And with creativity, collaboration, and care, it can also be a time of great hope.

Together, we can make it so.

To learn more about the Sequim Food Bank and how you can help, visit sequimfoodbank.org or email us at info@sequimfoodbank.org.

Everyone at the Table

Saturday, Sept. 27

4-6 p.m.

Sequim Food Bank

144 W. Alder St.