A tradition of giving

WASILLA — Thanksgiving is right around the corner and there appears to be a growing need for food on the table. Food insecurity isn’t a new problem in the Valley, but according to numerous sources, the amount of people in need is ever-increasing. There’s a wave of volunteer groups and organizations on the front lines, combatting this food crisis with care and canned goods, frozen turkeys and easy recipes. Saturday, across the Valley, thousands received a “Thanksgiving Blessing,” courtesy of the faith community, the Alaska Food Bank and various partners.

Six churches from Palmer to Trapper Creek participated in the annual food giveaway. Families and individuals lined up for a set of groceries to complete a Thanksgiving meal, complete with a turkey, canned vegetables, rolls, apples, potatoes, gravy mix, and other fixings. Each turkey even came with a roasting pan. The groceries were provided at no cost and there were no hoops to jump through — proving need wasn’t necessary. Next week, Frontline Mission Church will be hosting a free, hot and prepared Thanksgiving dinner at the Menard Sports Center. For some families and fresh volunteers, these events are exciting and new discoveries. For some households in need and returning volunteers, it’s a tradition in its own right.

“It makes me feel like the little things make a difference,” said volunteer Amanda Mayer.

According to Cara Durr, Director of Public Engagement for the Food Bank of Alaska, the demand for food rose over the years. Durr said that she’s seen reports of a 12-to 13-percent increase for the demand of Thanksgiving meals. The amount of people using food stamps has also increased. She attributes this to a down economy in Alaska, with many people getting laid off and having to apply for food assistance for the first time. There’s a range of people who benefit from events like this, ranging from the homeless, to the struggling working class, or the recently disenfranchised. She said that hunger doesn’t discriminate many walks of life are facing food insecurity. The Thanksgiving Blessing is something people have learned to count on.

“People are incredibly grateful,” Durr said.

At the Wasilla Bible Church, hundreds strolled through their doors to get free Thanksgiving groceries. One mother was there with her family. This was here first time at this Blessing. She had no idea it event existed until just recently. Everyone attending was assured by the volunteers that their names were kept secret.

“I was shocked, actually. I didn’t know this happened. It’s a great opportunity for people,”she said.

The Mat-Su Food Bank didn’t have any specific plans for Thanksgiving this year but according to director, Eddie Ezelle, they are supportive of their mission. He said that they do provide some trucks and help with the logistics. This year, the Wasilla Bible Church gave out over 800 meals, and 5,000 people were fed.

“It gets bigger and bigger every year,” Ezelle said.

About five Frontline Mission Church volunteers were at the Wasilla Bible Church, lending a hand with stocking and food distribution. Frontline has been helping with this event for years but this is Rocky Rockefeller’s first time here.

“Thanksgiving Blessing is an amazing community-wide effort. It’s truly inspiring to see the community come together to make sure our hungry neighbors can enjoy a holiday meal,” said Jim Baldwin, Food Bank of Alaska Executive Director in a press release.

Rockefeller said that at Frontline, they regularly provide hot meals for people in need. They serve hot lunch Thursdays and Fridays and hot dinner on Wednesdays. Twice a month, they pick up food from the Food Bank of Alaska. With Frontline’s prepared dinner event around the corner, Rockefeller reflected on the solace people get from the weekly opportunity to get something to eat and the yearly chance to have a Thanksgiving dinner.

“We’ve got people living in tents,” Rockefeller said. “It comforts people, knowing there’s somewhere they can go get something to eat. It’s a pretty big deal for these people.”

Frontline spends all year preparing for the giant, community feast. They gather donations from fundraising events like when they teamed up with Country Legends radio station. They sat at a table together- with a live broadcast- and collected donations from shoppers at 3 Bears. Rockefeller said that they are expecting 1,100 to 1,300 people at the event. The Free Thanksgiving Dinner is on Nov. 23at the Menard Sports Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those in need of a ride, can call 907-357-8600. For more information, visit www.frontlinemission.org. For next those interested in next year’s Thanksgiving Blessing, People can find out which location they should visit by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.foodbankofalaska.org/news-webapp/blessing.

Jake Davies was the staff representative for the Wasilla Bible Church at the Thanksgiving Blessing event. He said that it’s great to see the community come together since times like these are “so rarely marked on the calendar,” saying that the holidays have a special way of squeezing goodness out of people. A slew of different people with different backgrounds picked up groceries at the church. He said that there were no requirements for people to get Thanksgiving groceries.

“We serve who comes in,” Davies said.