Palmer Food Bank fairing well through 2020’s COVID-19 afflicted climate

PALMER — The Palmer Food Bank has been able to keep up with the ever-changing climate affected by COVID-19 thanks to the continuous support from the federal government and donations from the community.

“Things are going pretty well,” Palmer Food Bank Director Jeanne Borega

Over the summer, the Food Bank operated mostly outdoors, allowing a socially distant way for people to pick up their items. Borega said that it’s getting colder and winter is just around the corner, so they’re allowing one to two people inside the food bank at a time. She said that masks are required, and they have some on hand for those who need one.

Borega noted that a majority of their volunteers are senior citizens, many of whom opted to stay home over the summer. She said they had help from various people out of work, but their regular volunteers have returned and things are normal as they can be.

“We’ve adapted,” Borega said.

The Palmer Food Bank normally holds an annual food drive with Palmer schools and businesses.

“I don’t think that’s gonna happen this year,” Borega said.

According to Borega, the Palmer Food Bank gives out an estimated 30,000 pounds of food a month. She said that number hasn’t changed much despite the surrounding conditions, and their federal supply has been keeping them going.

“Since the federal government has been extra good to us, I think we’re gonna be okay,” Borega said.

Borega said most of their clients are longtime regulars, with some new faces that come and go every month. She said there hasn’t been any substantial increases in clients over the last year.

“It’s pretty level,” Borega said.

The Palmer Food Bank has been distributing food to Palmer residents and the greater Mat-Su since the early 90’s, according to Borega. She said it started out of a local church before moving to its current location off South Valley Way. She noted that the central, downtown location makes it more walkable for their transient clients.

“The hard part you might say, is we’re a small building,” Borega said.

The Palmer Food Bank has three different food programs, according to Borega. She said they serve federal commodities, senior boxes, and pantry items to the community. She said there’s a high demand for senior boxes since there’s so many seniors residing in Palmer.

Borega said they’ve been receiving an array of local crops from farmers across the community throughout the year.

“The Palmer community is really good to us,” Borega said. “It’s a very giving community.”

Borega said the Palmer Food Bank serves mostly Palmer residents, but any Valley resident is welcome to apply.

The Palmer Food Bank is part of the Mat-Su Food Coalition which currently meets the first of every month via Zoom.

The Mat-Su Food Coalition is a network of all the local food pantries, churches, and other partners across the Valley that maintain a continuous line of communication to better coordinate local efforts and support one another. The goal for each partner is the same, to get more food on more plates across the community.

“Most of these people don’t have enough money… quite a few clients tell me they couldn’t do it without our help,” Borega said.

For more information about the Palmer Food Bank call 907-746-3565.

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