Annual Thanksgiving Blessing serves about 2,000 free meals across the Mat-Su Valley

WASILLA— Each year, individuals and families in need across the Mat-Su Valley can pick up everything they need for a proper Thanksgiving meal for free.

On Nov. 17, the Food Bank of Alaska, the faith community, Salvation Army and other partners worked together, distributing whole turkeys, potatoes, gravy, pies, rolls and all the other classic entrees and fixings across the Valley for the annual Thanksgiving Blessin” event.

Cara Durr, Director of Public Engagement for the Food Bank of Alaska, said that the overall number of meals distributed in the Valley seemed to be down slightly this year but did not have the official count yet.

The following is a Q&A with Durr.

Q: How many meals did you distribute around the Valley last year?

A:“2,188 meals served in Mat-Su Valley.”

Q: How many years has the event been going on?

A: “The Anchorage blessing started in 2004 and I’m not sure when they started doing it in the Valley.”

Q: Has the need for Thanksgiving meals grown over time? If so, what do you think some of the driving factors could be?

A: “It’s been pretty steady for years. It often changes year to year and we don’t know the reason behind it. When the numbers go down, he hope it’s because less people need help that year.”

Q: What challenges may lay ahead (if any) for this program to continue?

A: “I don’t really see any challenges for it. It’s definitely a huge undertaking made possible by our amazing volunteers and sponsors. There’s such strong support for these community events.”

Q: Where do you see this program going in the future?

A: “I think we’ve gotten to the point where t’s a pretty well-oiled machine… I think we’ll continue on.”

Q: If anyone is interested in getting a free meal next year. What do they have to do?

A: “They don’t need to do anything. They just need to go to a site the day of and provide proof of residence. Some sites offer pre-registration but I’m not sure which. People can call 211 closer to the event to find out when and where to go.”

Q: Any additional comments?

A: “I think it’s really cool to see how the community comes together. The volunteers are involved in so many aspects of this from shopping and driving to sorting and dispensing]… I think that people come to the event leave with a good experience.”

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