‘Great Palmer Pantry Push’ begins Tuesday

PALMER — Although a few days remain before the official launch of the Great Palmer Pantry Push, Oct. 1 to 12, donations already are pouring in, according to Palmer Food Bank volunteer Patti Dubler.

“I’ve already collected a carload of food,” she said. “Our community is awesome.”

For a second year, about 60 business in the Valley will collect donations to fill the shelves and freezers at the Palmer Food Pantry during what is becoming an annual fall food drive, Dubler said.

Several merchants will also offer specials during the drive for customers who donate food, she said. Like last year, the food drive includes a “can-struction” competition that will judge the best display created from the donations.

While people are familiar with the sorts of nonperishable donations the food pantry can use, she said folks may not realize they can also gift extra veggies from their gardens to local food banks, too.

Dubler said several local farmers, like Brad Lewis, share produce from their businesses with the food pantry, as well as individuals who drop off extra zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and potatoes this time of year.

She said the food banks don’t buy produce and it’s a real treat when people share the bounty from their gardens.

“People love it,” Dubler said of the Valley grown veggies.

The community food drive last year raised thousands of food items and more than $2,000 cash for the food bank.

Though the pantry receives some food through the USDA program, when that is gone, local donations are required to keep families fed.

The Palmer Food Pantry serves 700 to 800 people a month, she said.

Last year’s effort was honored with a Good Neighbor Award from the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman as a notable community service effort led by the business community.

Contact Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.

• Canned fruits.

• Canned soups, stews and chili.

• Peanut butter

and jelly.

• Hot and cold breakfast cereals.

• Canned juices — apple, cranberry, orange, tomato etc.

• Canned vegetables.

• Canned meats

and fish.

• Rice and pasta boxed meals.

• Pasta and canned sauce.