Pantry taking part in challenge

April 8, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

The Food Pantry of Wasilla is entering the final stretch toward a million bucks.

The pantry is taking part in the Feinstein Challenge, which is offering $1 million to food banks around the country, based on how much food and goods they take in during the months of March and April. Last year, the Food Pantry of Wasilla received more than $400 of the $1 million prize.

"March and April are really dead months, so it encourages giving when there is no particular season," said Kathy Webb, a volunteer with the Food Pantry of Wasilla. "It seems to increase donations during those two months."

This year is the eighth year the Feinstein Foundation has been offering $1 million to hunger-fighting agencies around the country. The foundation estimates that through increased donations, more than $350 million has been raised as part of the challenge in those eight years.

The foundation was founded in 1991 by Alan Shawn Feinstein, a financial writer and advisor.

Since 1996, the former public teacher and author has dedicated his life to philanthropy, focusing on the advancement of public service and hunger issues. He founded the World Hunger Program at Brown University and the World Hunger Brigade, a middle school program. He also helped establish the Feinstein International Famine Center at Tufts University and the Center for Hunger Free America at the University of Rhode Island.

All donations received by the Food Pantry of Wasilla through the end of April count toward the challenge.

For more information about the challenge, or about how to donate, interested people can call the Food Pantry of Wasilla at 357-3769.