Annual Food Bank of Alaska Thanksgiving Blessing set for Saturday

WASILLA — The Food Bank of Alaska and its partners are on the home stretch with final preparations for the Thanksgiving Blessing, an annual event bringing together community organizations, churches and volunteers to aid in distributing groceries for holiday meals to more than 10,000 families in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage.

This year’s Mat-Su distribution is Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at six locations. The Anchorage and Eagle River distributions are set for Monday.

Valley locations include Faith Bible Fellowship near Big Lake, Fellowship Lutheran Church in Trapper Creek, Wasilla Bible Church, Real Life Church in Palmer, the Upper Susitna Senior Center in Talkeetna and Willow United Methodist Church. There is no income requirement to obtain a meal, although the Food Bank does ask that people pick up food at the distribution point closest to their family’s address.

The first Valley Blessing was in 2010, and the number of needy families served a turkey and all the trimmings continues to grow. Food Bank of Alaska executive director Michael Miller said this year’s distribution is expected to reach 2,200 families. Miller added that the organization usually plans for a growth rate of 10 percent each year. The Anchorage and Eagle River distribution is projected to reach 8,000 families.

“The dip in the state’s economy has affected folks,” Miller said. “I know the pantries are seeing new families and we could very possibly see a larger turnout this year.”

Miller said data from the latest “Hunger in America — Alaska Report 2014” compiled by the Food Bank of Alaska and the Alaska Food Coalition revealed that in the Valley, 29 percent of those facing hunger are under age 18, while 65 percent often had to choose between buying food and paying utility bills.

While the organizations and churches participating in the program have done some of their own food and fund raising, Miller said those looking to help ahead of Saturday’s distribution can either plan to volunteer at the sites or contribute with a monetary donation at the Food Bank’s website foodbankofalaska.org. That’s also where people can go for more information about the program.

“A donation of $15 buys a turkey and $45 pays for an entire meal,” he said.

Serving 10,000-plus families translates to roughly 30,000 people, and Miller said the level of commitment of the participating sites, donors and volunteers can’t be emphasized enough.

“That’s the story behind the story with this program — the depth of commitment,” Miller said. “We see that everywhere with the Blessing, but the Valley participation is inspiring. I have seen scout troops side by side with chamber of commerce members working to touch the lives of folks in need.”

Anyone in need can stop by one of the several Mat-Su locations to pick up a free turkey and holiday meal items. The Food Bank asks that people bring proof of address so the organizations can distribute the food by zip code.

Valley locations for Saturday’s Blessing include:

• Faith Bible Fellowship (for people in living in zip codes 99652, 99624, 99623, 99694), 14159 W. Hollywood Rd. Phone: 892-8545

• Fellowship Lutheran Church (99683), Mile 1.1 Petersville Road, Trapper Creek. Phone: 733-2710

• Wasilla Bible Church (99623, 99629, 99654, 99687), 1651 W. Nicola Ave., Wasilla. Phone: 376-2176

• Real Life Church (99645, 99674), 10697 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Phone: 745-5673

• Upper Susitna Senior Center (99676, 99667), 16463 E. Helena St., Mile 98.5 Parks Highway, Talkeetna. Phone: 952-1750

• Willow United Methodist Church (99688, 99694), Mile 67.5 Parks Highway, Willow. Phone: 495-6638

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at steven.merritt@frontiersman.com

* This story has been altered from its original print version to correct a mistaken zip code.