BANKING

ON IT

February 18, 2007

BY DIMITRA LAVRAKAS

Frontiersman

Stacy Duggins, manager of the Mat-Su branch of Food Bank of Alaska on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, was busily shifting pallets of food around the big warehouse last week. She does that a lot, because it seems that the Valley is very supportive.

She talked about a recent agreement with Fred Meyer for donations of no-longer saleable goods.

&#8220The Fred Meyer guys are just happy,” said

Duggins.

&#8220Often, when we see that happening, we see ourselves as a business solution,” said Amy Stevens, FBA's communications manager. &#8220I think that's something people aren't aware of.”

It's one of those classic &#8220win-win” situations.

A business doesn't incur the cost of disposing items, it gets a tax write-off, plus the peace of mind knowing it has done something of humanitarian value.

Last year, FBA served Valley residents through several programs operating out of the food pantry building, which was donated by Criterion General last year.

In the rear, the Food Bank of Alaska operates a shopping center for Valley organizations like churches and senior centers that come in and pick up the food and distribute it through their own programs.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is a United States Department of Agriculture program that provides food free to low-income individuals and families.

Proof of income is needed to qualify. For example, annually, an individual must earn less than $22,663 ;a family of three, 38,388; and a family of four, $46,250. The food is supplemental and offers popular basic items like applesauce and beans.

The Food Coop offers bulk food to agencies at cost because AFB can buy the products in large numbers at 30-70 percent off.

The Commodities Supplemental Food Program serves low-income senior clients not served by USDA's Women, Infants and Children's program. Some foods offered include dry cereal, rice, canned fruits and vegetables.

Food donations come from many sources, said Stevens. In the summer, local farmers send in produce, but it doesn't stop in the winter. Stevens pointed out sacks of potatoes in the pantry's huge coolers that will go to other agencies' meal

programs.

Meals on Wheels, which is operated through the senior centers and churches in the area, have something new to offer clients with companion animals.

Local agencies discovered a disturbing fact that elders using the program often didn't get enough to eat because they were giving part of their meals to their pets. Now, the cat and dog food stored here is also included in the delivery.

&#8220It goes out pretty much as fast as it comes in,” said Duggins.

Stevens said according to the USDA Household Food Security Study, 11.7 percent of Alaskans are food insecure - that is, they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

With a population of 74,000, the Mat-Su Valley is home to 8,600 people at risk of hunger, according to FBA. The problem is particularly severe for children as national studies show that one in every five children is at risk of hunger.

&#8220Paper towels, diapers, whatever, we'll take any donations from anyone,” said Stevens.

Recently, the Larson Eagle Scouts Pack No. 300 collected 1,784 pounds of food and the Shaw Sundogs brought in 685 pounds, during the Boy Scouts' Scouting for Food drive.

Participating agencies in the Valley are Alaska Family Services, Palmer; Burchell High School, Wasilla; Camp Maranatha, Big Lake; Christian Pilots Association of Alaska, Wasilla; Valley Open Bible Fellowship, Big Lake; Family Christian Center, Palmer; Food Pantry of Wasilla, Wasilla; Hilltop Assembly of God, Wasilla; Kids Are People, Inc., Wasilla; LINKS Mat-Su, Parent Resource Center, Palmer; Mid Valley Seniors, Inc., Houston; Our Lady of the Lake Food Pantry, Big Lake; Palmer Food Bank, Palmer; Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Palmer; Salvation Army Mat-Su, Wasilla; Saxton Youth Shelter, Wasilla; Transitional Living Center, Wasilla; Sunshine Food Bank, Talkeetna; Trapper Creek Food Bank, Willow; Valley Food Pantry, Wasilla; Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc., Wasilla; Wasilla Church of the Nazarene, Wasilla; and Willow Area Seniors, Willow.

The Valley Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Stevens also suggests people go to FBA's Web site, www.foodbankofalaska.org, and click on the &#8220Need Help” button.

Contact Dimitra Lavrakas at 352-2269 or

valleylife@frontiersman.com