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Families blessed with groceries
For the sixth year, Food Bank of Alaska and its partners in the faith community joined together for the Thanksgiving Blessing Project.
Thanksgiving Blessing is a public event where Anchorage and Eagle River families in need receive a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal.
In total, 6,053 families came out for the grocery distribution; a five percent increase over last year.
In 2008, Thanksgiving Blessing provided for 5,800 families and was the largest increase Food Bank of Alaska and its partners in the faith community experienced.
Churches and congregations raise money and food and recruit thousands of welcoming and compassionate faith based volunteers to help with the set up and distribution.
Food Bank of Alaska provides turkeys, helps purchase food in bulk, solicits farmers for apples and potatoes, and provides logistical support.
The State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services also provides a grant of about $27,000 to help pay for the purchase of turkeys.
Not all of the 16,000 turkeys Food Bank of Alaska purchases for the holiday seasons each year stay in Anchorage and Eagle River.
About 1,100 cases of turkeys get transported to other places in Alaska such as the Mat-Su Valley, the Kenai Peninsula and as far away as Atka and Nome.
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