Similar to Thanksgiving’s event, locals can drive through Carrie Blake Community Park to receive food for the Christmas season courtesy of the Sequim Food Bank.

Over three-plus hours on Nov. 20, hundreds of vehicles lined up along North Blake Avenue to receive a Thanksgiving meal. Organizers finalized about 1,040 families received meals in some capacity that day and next two business days at the food bank.

For Christmas, visitors can drive to the park at 202 N. Blake Ave., between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 for bags of food.

“We thank everyone for being so patient in November,” said Andra Smith, Sequim Food Bank’s executive director. “We will have enough food.”

Because of the demand, some drivers waited in line for up to 90 minutes stretching from the park to Washington Street.

However, Smith said, they’re working on ways to make the process go faster.

Food Bank board member Stephen Rosales said they’re excited to do distribution in the park again.

“We get a great feeling when everyone who in Sequim needs food for Christmas will receive some,” he said.

Organizers shifted holiday meal distribution to the park to accommodate growing need and regulations related to COVID-19.

Traditionally called the Family Holiday Meal Bag distribution program, Smith said the Christmas effort is more focused on multiple grocery items “for families to have on-hand for the holidays.”

Some staples include milk, eggs and bread along with cereal, rice, soup, pumpkin pie, stuffing, salad and more.

Walk-ups are allowed, Smith said, but all visitors must wear face coverings.

Deliveries are available that day, but locals must contact the Sequim Food Bank at 360-683-1205 or sequimfoodbank@olypen.com as soon as possible to schedule a drop off.

Relief Package Program

The COVID Relief Food Care Package program at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., has one more pick-up date from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23.

“Demand is still high,” Smith said with 460 families served on Nov. 19, and 509 on Dec. 9.

She and other organizers of the program plan to continue it twice a month on Wednesdays in January with more specifics to come.

Food Bank offerings

Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St., closes on Christmas (Friday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1), but resumes regular hours on Saturday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Its regular hours are 1-4 p.m. Mondays, and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays.

Donations

Because of space limitations, the food bank continues not to accept food donations, but Smith said, “We’re working on a way to get food donations again in 2021.”

“The biggest help people can do is financially,” she said, because of the amount of bulk items they purchase.

To help, visit www.sequimfoodbank.org contact food bank staff 360-683-1205 or sequimfoodbank@olypen.com.

Recent news that the Port Angeles Food Bank is moving to a new building at 632 N. Oakridge Dr., near Walmart, helps the Sequim Food Bank, Smith said.

Sequim Food Bank staff drive to Port Angeles several times a week for food pickups and with Port Angeles as Clallam County’s centralized food hub having more space, Smith said they can store items there now.

“It’ll free up a lot of space for us,” she said. “We’ve purchased and rented storage and we’re out of space. (The new facility is) going to be a huge help.

“Hopefully, we’ll have space to accept food donations again in January.”

Volunteers like Calvin Barnard, senior vice commander of Carlsborg VFW Post 6787, helped distribute food at the Family Holiday Meal Bay program on Nov. 20. Dozens of volunteers return on Dec. 18 to help provide food for Christmas. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash