December meal program helps hundreds

By Matthew Nash • December 22, 2021 1:30 am
Several volunteer groups work together to load vehicles with food for the holidays during the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Several volunteer groups work together to load vehicles with food for the holidays during the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Volunteers and vehicles packed Carrie Blake Community Park once again for the Family Holiday Meal Bag program.

Helpers gave out 680 bags on Dec. 17 plus another 85 via delivery, said Andra Smith, executive director of the Sequim Food Bank, who organized the event along with support from Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the City of Sequim.

Because of early press deadlines, totals from Saturday and Monday were not available. Smith said she anticipated the program easily surpassing 800 meal bags volunteers on Dec. 17-18 and 20.

Similar to November’s meal program, volunteer groups included representatives from various churches, CERT, Sequim Valley Lions Club, Rotary groups, veterans and others, with members of Sequim Seventh-day Adventist packing the boxes on Dec. 16.

Sequim Food Bank, 144 Alder St., is open 1-4 p.m. on Mondays, and 9 a.m.-noon on Fridays and Saturdays. For deliveries in the Sequim area, call or leave a message at 360-683-1205 by 9 a.m. Monday.

Dolores Wolfe, left, and Benni Tucker with CERT chat while directing traffic at the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Wolfe said it was her first time volunteering with the group and her first time directing traffic. “I love it,” she said. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Dolores Wolfe, left, and Benni Tucker with CERT chat while directing traffic at the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Wolfe said it was her first time volunteering with the group and her first time directing traffic. “I love it,” she said. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Becky Roberts, left, and Ann Flack, president of the Sequim Sunrise Rotary, fill bags for December’s Family Holiday Meal Bag program. The Rotarians were one of many groups participating in the even on Dec. 17. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Becky Roberts, left, and Ann Flack, president of the Sequim Sunrise Rotary, fill bags for December’s Family Holiday Meal Bag program. The Rotarians were one of many groups participating in the even on Dec. 17. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

David Blakeslee, vice-president of the Sequim Valley Lions Club, hands out a $15 gift card to Walmart during the December Family Holiday Meal Bag program in Carrie Blake Community Park. He was one of 11 Lions to help on the day. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

David Blakeslee, vice-president of the Sequim Valley Lions Club, hands out a $15 gift card to Walmart during the December Family Holiday Meal Bag program in Carrie Blake Community Park. He was one of 11 Lions to help on the day. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Above: Volunteer Steve Allen pets a friendly pup while directing traffic in Carrie Blake Community Park for December’s Family Holiday Meal Bag program. Right: Dolores Wolfe with CERT directs traffic at the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Wolfe said it was her first time volunteering with the group and her first time directing traffic. “I love it,” she said.

Above: Volunteer Steve Allen pets a friendly pup while directing traffic in Carrie Blake Community Park for December’s Family Holiday Meal Bag program. Right: Dolores Wolfe with CERT directs traffic at the Family Holiday Meal Bag program on Dec. 17 in Carrie Blake Community Park. Wolfe said it was her first time volunteering with the group and her first time directing traffic. “I love it,” she said.