Mat-Su Food Coalition reports double demand for food assistance in Valley amid COVID-19 pandemic

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Food Coalition is currently discussing ways to address the ever growing demand for food during the ever changing COVID-19 situation.

The Mat-Su Food Coalition is a network of all the local food pantries like the Mat-Su Food Bank and Frontline Mission, churches, and other partners across the Valley that maintain a continuous line of communication to better coordinate local efforts and support one another.

“We’re a pretty tight knit organization,” Don Houk said.

The goal for each partner is the same, according to Houck, the coalition founding member, to get more food on more plates across the community. He said most of the bulk food donations come from these groups.

The coalition even has support from outside, including discounted food items from the Food Bank of Alaska.

Food banks across the country are getting hit hard and trying to best navigate through these uncertain times and the Valley’s network is no exception. Houk said their various pantries are serving at double capacity and the demand is only increasing from here.

“We’re trying,” Houk said.

The coalition is currently discussing ways to address the coronavirus situation, talking to partners like the Mat-Su Health Foundation and United Way. They have a video conference meeting scheduled for April 6, where they will talk about the best course of action moving forward.

“It’d really just hit us. We’re struggling,” Houk said. It’s come up so quick, that we’re still trying to find our way.”

The Mat-Su Food Coalition has been around over six years. Houk said the original vision has stayed the same.

“What we wanted to do basically, is get together and talk about food deprivation in the Valley; and we wanted some standards that people could live up to,” Houk said. “We wanted to coordinate. We wanted some sort of voice in the Valley and we wanted it to be organized.”

At this point, there are three major ways locals can support the coalition and its various pantries’ efforts, according to Houk. One of the most pressing needs is able bodied community members to volunteer their time.

“Everyone is having great difficulty finding volunteers,” Houk said.

Those who feel safe enough to volunteer are encouraged to do so. Otherwise, people can best help by donating monetarily or with food. The third and final thing people can do also very important, according to Houk. He said not enough people even know the coalition or its various pantries even exists, so he encourages people to spread the word.

Those looking for assistance can call 211 to find the nearest pantry.

For more information about food, donations or volunteer opportunities, call the following points of contact: Evelyn Davis, Grace Bible Food Pantry: 907-345-0012; Jeanne Borega, Palmer Food Bank: 907-841-3044 (call around 9:30 a.m. or before 1:30 p.m.); Ola Williams, Willow Community Food Pantry 907-414-7555 (call after 2:30 p.m.); Eddie Ezzel, Mat-Su Food Bank: 907-355-5830; LouAnne Carrol-Tyndal, Upper Su Food Pantry/Mat-Su Food Coalition: 907-355-1410; Don Houk, Frontline Mission Chair/Mat-Su Food Coalition: 232-8568

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com