Sometimes making progress is really keeping one’s head above water.

Mark Ozias, executive director at the Sequim Food Bank, says he’s seen steady traffic over the summer and the facility is seeing a spike in new visitors — 10 percent in May and 13.5 percent in June.

With a steady increase in usage and rise in food costs, food bank directors have spent about 30 percent more buying food than at the same time in 2013.

“We’re not seeing the need drop,” Ozias says.

As the holiday season approaches, Ozias and company are touting the food bank’s Family Holiday Meal Program that helps feed local families in November and December.

The Sequim Food Bank’s largest food procurement expense, this program provides about 1,700 holiday meals that include a whole turkey, stuffing, apples, salad greens, milk, eggs and more — what a family needs for a traditional holiday meal.

The cost per meal is $45 — contributors can pay by cash, check or credit card — and the food bank’s goal is to cover the cost of 1,000 meals.

To that end, Ozias and other food bank reps are inviting the community to visit their community booth at the Sequim Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, and again on Saturday, Oct. 11. Representatives from the board of directors will be on hand to answer questions about the Sequim Food Bank and the Family Holiday Meal Program.

“We’ve done this (program) for a number of years — it’s become such a significant program,” Ozias says.

According to statistics provided by the organization, 30 percent of the Sequim Food Bank’s “out the door” food goes to feed youths under age 18 while 20 percent goes to adults over the age of 55. A recent Washington Department of Health estimate shows one in 14 Clallam County families experiences food insecurity.

The organization is funded by the community for all operating expenses, Ozias says.

Local Girl Scout troops are getting in on the action as well, asking community members to “adopt a turkey” in front of Sequim stores two weeks before both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“As much hunger as there is in our community,” Ozias says, “Sequim always finds a way to come together to fill the need. That’s really special.”

For more information or to contribute, call 775-6321, e-mail sequimfoodbank@olypen.com or write to: Sequim Food Bank, PO Box 1453, Sequim, WA 98382. The food bank is at 144 W. Alder St.