Sequim, Forks and the Jefferson County food banks have plans for providing special Christmas supplies.
Sequim’s distribution will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Visitors can drive to Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., for bags of food.
Because of the demand in November for Thanksgiving supplies, some drivers waited in line for up to 90 minutes stretching from the park to Washington Street.
Andra Smith, Sequim Food Bank’s executive director, said volunteers are 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.
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.
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. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
“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.
Port Angeles
Port Angeles Food Bank did not provide special Thanksgiving meal supplies in November, according to Emily Dexter, executive director, but it did offer traditional foods in its regular distribution.
The Port Angeles Food Bank could not be reached for comment this week about plans for Christmas.
It offers food in a drive-through at its new at 632 N. Oakridge Drive near Walmart from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Port Angeles Food Bank is available to all Clallam County residents. Emergency boxes contain pantry items, fresh or shelf stable milk, produce, bread and meat if available.
The Port Angeles Food Bank’s move to a larger building with more storage 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.
Forks
The Forks Food Bank at 181 Bogachiel Way will distribute Christmas food baskets via a drive-through from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Food Bank Association will provide a large protein such as ham or turkey during its drive-through Christmas disbursement, in addition to the regular offerings for clients, said President Mike Boock.
The Christmas disbursement is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the Brinnon Food Bank and on Wednesday for the Port Townsend, Tri-Area and Quilcene food banks, Boock said. The Port Townsend Food Bank’s distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tri-Area’s from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Quilcene’s from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Port Townsend Food Bank is located at 1925 Blaine St.; the Tri-Area Food Bank is located at 760 Chimacum Road; the Quilcene Food Bank is located at 294952 U.S. Highway 101; the Brinnon Food Bank is located at 151 Corey St.
More information on the Jefferson County Food Bank Association can be found at jeffersoncountyfoodbanks.org.
