Food Bank of Alaska receives $6 million grant to strengthen statewide anti-hunger network

WASILLA — The Food Bank of Alaska recently received a $6 million grant from the State of Alaska that will fund infrastructure and capacity-building projects through the statewide anti-hunger network.

The state’s anti-hunger network works to ensure Alaskans have enough food to eat.

According to the press release, the overall food insecurity rates have been stressed to unprecedented levels due to the pandemic. This met with the high inflation and supply chain issues has caused a high demand at food banks across the network.

This grant will give Food Bank of Alaska’s partners the chance to add storage and distribution space, additional cold and frozen storage, and equipment such as forklifts, ATVs, and vehicles.

“This funding will help address long-standing capacity gaps among our partners,” Food Bank of Alaska CEO Jim Baldwin stated in the press release. “We are pleased to be able to provide this support to food banks, pantries, meals programs, and other partners across the state. With the high levels of need we continue to see, we know this investment comes at a critical time.”

According to the press release, there will be a competitive grant process to select which food programs will receive awards ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

Eligible organizations do not need to be partners with the Food Bank of Alaska to apply, but they are required to demonstrate a commitment to charitable food distribution to qualify.

The online application is now open and concludes Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.

The Food Bank of Alaska works with over 150 different partners to feed hungry residents across the state.

For more information, visit www.foodbankofalaska.org/infrastructuregrant.

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