Food Pantry needs donations

EOWYN LeMAY IVEY-Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- Summer is typically a time of plenty, a time when the Food Pantry of Wasilla sees fewer families in need and its shelves are well stocked. This hasn't been the case this year.

Hundreds of additional families are showing up looking for food, and with fewer donations than normal, the pantry is being forced to dole out smaller-than-normal portions.

"This summer it seems we're very busy," said Kathy Broady, a volunteer coordinator at the Food Pantry. One day earlier this month, she said between 40 and 50 clients came into the nonprofit charity. Of these, she said, many were working adults who earn minimum wage and are struggling to make ends meet.

During June, more than 600 families sought assistance from the Food Pantry -- 100 more families than normal for that month.

Food coordinator Laurie Smith said they have been taken aback by the increased need. Normally, she said, summers in Alaska seem to be easier for families. There are summer employment opportunities and fish to be caught. But, for whatever reason, Valley families are having a tougher time this summer.

"I really can't speculate as to why we're so busy," Smith said.

What they do know is that they are going through canned food and dried goods faster than they can gather it from the community or buy it from the Food Bank of Alaska using monetary donations.

Compounding the problem of increased need is a slight decrease in food donations. Summer isn't typically the season of giving -- most people think to donate to charities more during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year, however, summer donations are down even more than expected.

"We've been having to give out less food so we can make it go around," Smith said.

Once community groups get the news that the pantry is need, however, the problem might be somewhat alleviated. Earlier this year, the city of Wasilla volunteered its city hall as a drop-off point for the Food Pantry. At last week's meeting, Mayor Dianne Keller urged everyone to help fill the shelves for those in need.

"Your donations would be greatly appreciated," she told the council and audience members.

The Food Pantry specifically needs canned food and dried goods such as cereal and oatmeal. Donations can be dropped off at the Food Pantry of Wasilla from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The charity is located at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 501 Bogard Road. If the pantry office is closed, people can also leave donations with the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church secretary from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

In addition, Wasilla City Hall will accept donations during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. City Hall is located at 290 E. Herning Ave.