More people expected for ‘Valley Thanksgiving Blessing’

MAT-SU — Organizers say they expect to distribute food to 10 percent more people at the Valley Thanksgiving Blessing on Saturday.

Janina Fuller said that last year, the faith community’s food distribution effort served more than 1,300 Valley residents.

However, she said organizers are still short thousands of dollars to cover their budgeted costs. Fuller said any cash donated is used to shop at the Food Bank of Alaska for items needed for the feast.

“We get more bang for our buck by shopping at the food bank,” she said, because the food bank doesn’t charge retail prices.

Cash donations of $15 will buy a turkey, and $45 will provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner. To help, send checks payable to Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave., Wasilla, AK, 99654. Please include “Valley Thanksgiving Blessing” on the memo line.

Food distribution is planned at six locations around the Valley from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 23. Distribution is organized by ZIP code and people must bring proof of address with them to the distribution site. Sites are listed below along with the ZIP codes to be served at each site on Saturday.

Lt. Lisa Davey said the Salvation Army is organizing the distribution in Palmer at the Real Life Church, 10697 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.

“It’s good to see all the churches come together and help the community,” Davey said.

She said the Palmer site served 300 people, but is expecting 600 this year.

The first 150 people through the doors of Real Life Church Saturday also will get to choose a made-with-love reusable shopping bag or potholder to keep.

Meg Hills is part of a group of 10 to 15 women that meets on Wednesdays at Just Sew in Palmer. They’ve completed various service projects over the years. The bags and potholders are their contribution to the community effort, Hills said.

She said the idea grew out of her experience volunteering at the event last year when she saw how the plastic bags that were used strained and often broke under the weight of her neighbors’ generous food gifts. She set a goal for herself to sew 100 shopping bags to donate to the effort.

The 50 potholders are a project the group made to celebrate member Shirley Currey’s birthday.

“We’ve really become good friends. I really look forward to Wednesdays,” said group member Pat Gakin.

Hills mentioned her idea to her friends in the sewing group about the idea to make and share 100 bags.

Around seven of her pals joined in, producing 101 bags. They all worked on the potholder project.

“It’s a really great community effort,” Davey said of all the ways the community pulls together to share Valley Thanksgiving Blessing every year.

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

• Faith Bible Fellowship, 892-8545

14159 W. Hollywood Rd., Big Lake

Distribution for residents in ZIP code: 99652

• Fellowship Lutheran Church, 733-2710

Mile 1.1, Petersville Rd, Trapper Creek

Distribution for residents in ZIP code: 99683

• Wasilla Bible Church, 376-2176

1651 W. Nicola Ave., Wasilla

Distribution for residents in ZIP codes: 99623, 99629, 99654, 99687, 99694

• Real Life Church, 745-5673

10697 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Palmer

Distribution for residents in ZIP code: 99645, 99674

• Upper Susitna Senior Center, 733-2710

16463 E. Helena St., Mile 98.5, Parks Hwy., Talkeetna

Distribution for residents in ZIP code: 99676, 99667

• Willow United Methodist Church, 495-6638

Mile 67.5, Parks Highway, Willow

Distribution for residents in ZIP code: 99688