ConocoPhillips employees break food drive record with 101 tons

A tractor-trailer arrives Wednesday at 1 pm with the first load of 101 tons of food donated to Food Bank of Alaska by the employees at ConocoPhillips Alaska. The donation surpasses last year’s record of 140,000 pounds, or 70 tons.

“This donation places ConocoPhillips employees on our list of top food donors, and we can’t thank them enough,” said Food Bank CEO Jim Baldwin. “This food drive means that thousands of Alaskans who can’t afford to buy groceries will be able to provide meals for their families.” Baldwin said the ConocoPhillips’ food drive rivals the food drives of large metropolitan areas.

“Each year hundreds of employees support our food drive,” said Tani Kron, ConocoPhillips employee and the lead on the company food drive for the past eight years. “This is near and dear to us and helps our neighbors and friends directly, in all corners of the state.” Kron said.

The employee effort will earn a matching financial gift from ConocoPhillips of $202,000 for Food Bank of Alaska to procure more food for the community.

Yesterday, the company announced to their employees that it is recognizing their commitment to fighting hunger in an additional, momentous way this year – with a $1 million leadership gift for Food Bank of Alaska’s new capital project.

“This contribution from ConocoPhillips to the Food Bank is important to me personally as a member of this community,” said Joe Marushack, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. “I’ve seen the general increased need for services in Anchorage, and being able to help the Food Bank feed Alaskans is the right thing for us to do. And I’m very pleased that we can do this on behalf of our employees, who have supported the Food Bank in a big way with their own donations.”

“I am proud that our company and our employees are committed to helping feed Alaska families,” said Jon Schultz, ConocoPhillips Alaska Manager of Prudhoe Area and Food Bank of Alaska Board Member. “This gift is very important to help the Food Bank continue to put food on Alaskans’ tables.”

“This truly generous financial donation to our building project is a giant step toward ensuring that we can feed our neighbors in need for the next generation,” Food Bank of Alaska’s Baldwin said.

Food Bank of Alaska plans a public campaign in mid-2020 to help complete the organization’s capital project as it continues its efforts to Nourish Alaska’s Future.