Generosity could benefit Food Pantry even more through end of April

MAT-SU — A local non-profit needs a hand helping the hungry.

The Food Pantry of Wasilla is seeking support to raise money and food for individuals and families in the Valley. Although the organization is always receptive to donations, March and April have presented a unique opportunity to capitalize on the act of giving.

Alice Holinger, president of the local Food Pantry’s board of directors, said the organization is joining a national effort to help fight hunger. The more food and money raised locally the better chance the Food Pantry has to receive big money from the Feinstein Foundation’s annual Spring Campaign to Fight Hunger.

Alan Shaw Feinstein said he created the Feinstein Foundation in 1991 with a passion for helping those in need.

“I started this foundation because I had the means to do it and I wanted to help fight hunger,” he said.

In addition to other philanthropic endeavors, the Feinstein Foundation has administered the fund-raising challenge for 11 years. Since its conception, the program has distributed $1 million a year to hunger-fighting organizations across the county.

After the two-month challenge is over, the foundation divides the $1 million between the participating organizations. The amount of money each organization receives is determined by how much food and money was raised during the challenge.

On a local level, the campaign will help feed Valley residents who can’t afford to keep their own pantries stocked with necessities.

“Statistically, we know that 11 percent of the Valley is in severe danger of not meeting their food needs,” Holinger said.

The Food Pantry serves about 900 families a month, she said, adding that while some may think only homeless people are those in need, that’s not the case. In fact, most of the people receiving food from the pantry require temporary help. Some may be seasonal workers running low on money and others working poor in need of a little boost to get them through the month.

“Over the years, about 60 percent of our clients come to us three times a year or fewer,” she said.

Holinger said the pantry usually prepares bags or boxes that include food for three to five meals and the amount of food depends on the size of the family. Foods commonly used include canned beans, frozen vegetables and pasta.

The Food Pantry relies on two main sources of food to stock its shelves, she said — donations from local residents and the Food Bank of Alaska. When it comes to local residents, support is widespread.

“This is a very generous community,” she said. “People are concerned about their fellow human beings.”

As a member of the Food Bank of Alaska, the Food Panty also buys supplies from the organization at an 18-cent-per-pound handling fee — a service that is helpful considering the price of groceries in Alaska.

The Food Pantry of Wasilla is located in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 501 Bogard Road. For more information about donating food, money or time, call 357-3769.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.