Season of need reaches back to summer months

Frontiersman editorial board

It seems that tough times may be extending the season of giving -- or at least the season of need. We normally think of making charitable contributions during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving until around the new year. It's traditionally a time of increased generosity and, to a large extent, a time of increased need. A busy summer at the Food Pantry of Wasilla may be a sign that more people are struggling over a longer period of time.

One of the most troubling trends is that among the families who have visited the Food Pantry this summer -- 600 in June, alone -- many of them have working parents who are trying to make ends meet on minimum wage jobs. Even though the minimum wage increased this summer, and Alaska now has the highest minimum wage in the country, it still is not enough to support a family. On top of that, Governor Murkowski has shot down the legislation that requires an automatic increase in the minimum wage based upon the cost of living. Requiring legislative action to ensure Alaska's minimum wage keeps pace with the cost of living seems to add an unnecessary step to a government process that is supposed to be getting leaner.

But getting leaner is a more immediate problem, and a more serious one, for too many Valley families. On just one day in August, between 40 and 50 families visited the Food Pantry. The busy summer has left the charity to face a shortage in canned and dried goods much earlier than normal. Hunger is always serious business, and with temperatures soon to drop as fall approaches, the situation may become even more critical. The warm weather of summer usually brings with it summer work, and many families count on that seasonal work to help them make it through the year. With the arrival of fall, many of those summer jobs will end, and that could increase the demand on places like the Food Pantry even more.

Another contributing factor could be the loss of the longevity bonus for many Valley seniors. Such a sudden and significant budget change for fixed-income households can be a devastating blow. The governor said the loss would be made up with other programs, but so far those programs have not surfaced to make up the difference.

The sluggish economy and the loss of income for some families could mean a year of increased need ahead. No matter what the long-term outlook is, our community has a need right now.

The Food Pantry would appreciate any help community members can provide. The charity is located at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 501 Bogard Road. Their normal hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. If the pantry office is closed, you can leave donations with the church secretary from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Wasilla City Hall will also except donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.