Grass-roots food drive a wild success

PALMER — Denise Statz is “profoundly satisfied” with what her town is capable of and wondering if she might be on to something.

With just a few weeks of organizing spurred by news that the shelves of the Food Pantry were going bare, the Palmer business community was able to put together a food drive that netted 10,000 individual food items, Statz said.

“I shoot for the moon I guess, but this time we got the sun. Somehow we lassoed the sun. It was profoundly satisfying,” said Statz, owner of Non-Essentials. “I think we would like to see this become a regular event that we tie-in with a fall-themed gathering as well.”

The food drive included 55 businesses, many of which far exceeded the drive’s 200 cans per site goal.

“The (Mat-Su) Borough had 4,000 pounds of food,” she said. “The borough was in competition with the (Mat-Su Borough) School District and they really had a competition, let me tell you.”

Also big contributors — Academy Charter School. The kids there managed to pull in 3,300 items.

The whole thing, she said, culminated with a retirement party for Henry Guinotte, founder of the Palmer pantry who is retiring this year.

“It was quite a gala,” Statz said.

And though the shelves are full, Statz said, the Palmer Food Pantry is still in need. The facility needs volunteers to help run it, especially on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping that someone will be moved and inspired to possibly do that,” Statz said.