Letters to the editor

We wish our Valley neighbors a wondrous season of giving and receiving

To the editor:

It is the holiday season, which is, in our culture, a season of giving.

During this season of giving, we at the MATSU Food Bank would like to bring up a way of giving that all Valley residents can engage in - Victory gardens.

Victory gardens you say? Yes. Victory gardens.

Victory gardens, also known as War gardens/Liberty gardens came about during W.W.I. Then President Wilson appealed to all Americans to plant vegetable gardens to protect us from possible food shortages during the war.

Now these gardens were not farms - folks were asked to simply plant one crop and the plot could be small. At the time, it was a real challenge, but we accepted that challenge as a civic and patriotic duty. We the people were contributing to the war effort.

There is a parallel here with what we are currently experiencing - food insecurity within our own borders. The war against hunger. We can learn from the Victory garden effort as we all can grow one. The size of the plot and the harvest are not important. It can be herbs grown inside during our dark months and more varied veggies in our summer. It can be grown on your land, windowsill or on public space where garden plots are available to the public.

It’s true that because of our sheer size and climate, Victory gardens would perhaps not suffice to feed all Valley residents in need; however, the mindset remains. This is where our farms and farmers become a crucial component in the giving process. And here in the Valley, they give.

We are blessed to be located in Alaska’s “breadbasket” and blessed that our farmers are community-minded, generous and truly care.

At the MATSU Food Bank, we are honored to hold the place that we do in our community. Since our move in March 2023 to a larger locale, our storage space has increased significantly and that is thanks to grants, local businesses, farms, churches, other nonprofits and organizations from all sectors and to YOU, the residents of our Valley.

From the bottom of all of our hearts, we wish our Valley neighbors a wondrous season of giving and receiving, of family, friends, health and love. Thank you for all you have given in 2023, thank you to our volunteers, and thank you for allowing us to serve you!

Melissa Rigas,

Wasilla

Override the veto of education funding

To the editor:

The 2023 legislative session produced the highest funding increase for public education in years. Our public schools have been underfunded for years. Testimony from individual Alaskans, school groups, organizations, and students gave heartfelt and fact-based evidence about the consequences of this under-funding.

The Legislature agreed to a one-time $175 million funding boost to K-12 schools. The money was desperately needed. Yet with one stroke of his pen, Governor Dunleavy vetoed a little over half (about $87.4 million).

We should encourage our legislators to override the veto. They have a five-day window to do so, beginning Jan. 16, 2024. It would be instructive to see where each legislature stands on this issue. During this next legislative session, bills will be introduced to increase education funding. But a veto override would release $87 million into public schools this school year.

As education falls, so does the state. We are at a critical juncture in our ability to retain teachers. People are leaving the state. Some of this can be attributed to insufficient funding for public schools.

If you support a veto override, please call, or email your legislators. Our voices need to be heard in Juneau. We can be a force in getting the funding that schools need to make Alaska healthy. For more information, contact overridetheveto24@gmail.com.

Alex Koplin- Concerned Citizen for Education,

Homer