Annual Bikers Fighting Hunger Food Drive underway

WASILLA — Glenn Butts, along with his fellow community minded motorcycle riders, are midway into the 11th annual Bikers Fighting Hunger Food Drive. He said that everything’s moving forward as planned to help curb hunger across the Valley.

“Everything’s happening like normal,” Butts said. “We’re looking a few tons this year… It’s a really weird year, so we don’t know. We got over a ton last year, almost two tons. This year, hoping to break that because there’s a whole lot more people in need… I’m kind of praying that there’s more of those people out there that can and will donate more.”

Butts and other volunteers set up donation bins for non perishable food items and coin collection jars at various participating facilities across the Valley. He said that usual participants include places like Three Bears Alaska, Spenard Builders Supply, and the Extreme Fun Center.

The food drive started at the beginning of January and runs through February, culminating with a community spaghetti feed. He said they usually hold the event at the Mat-Su Alano’s Club, but the location may change this year due to the pandemic. He said that Three Bears is going to provide over 50 pounds of meat for the event.

“It’s just a wait and pray that nothing comes down the pike for the coronavirus shutting anything down,” Butts said. “As long as there’s not a state mandate, everything will happen, it just might not be at the same place.”

Butts said that Denali Harley Davidson helps out every year by collecting donations and putting on their annual fundraising event Roses for Tacos. He said they’ve been one of their most invaluable partners over the years, and not just for this drive.

“With all the fundraisers, they help out with everything… Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do half the stuff, or at least it wouldn’t be as good,” Butts said with a laugh.

Butts noted that the spaghetti and taco feeds events are usually where they receive the largest amount of donations.

The Bikers Fighting Hunger group operates under the Christian Motorcycle Association’s Mat-Su chapter, the Midnight Son Riders.

“It’s the biker community just showing the community how much they do care and trying to get the community gathered for good reasons and helping out,” Butts said.

Butts said that he’s thankful he can keep this annual drive going despite all the complications stemming from the pandemic. He said that he’s grateful for the participating groups and businesses.

“It’s gonna happen,” Butts said.

The Spaghetti Feed takes place Feb. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. and the Roses for Tacos is on Feb. 13 from 12 to 4 p.m.

For more information and drop off locations, call 907-357-0579.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com