Each year, the Upper Susitna Food Pantry takes part in a statewide program to provide a turkey and a basket of other Thanksgiving staples to families experiencing financial hardship in the Northern Susitna Valley.
LouAnne Carroll-Tysdal is the food pantry’s executive director. She says a total of about 175 baskets were distributed prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. While that number is about the same as last year, the pantry advertised that this year’s baskets could be delivered. More than fifty families opted for delivery, which Carroll-Tysdal says introduced new logistical challenges.
“Deliveries went way up…and I sent people—Oh my gosh—We had some long-haul trips. I think 106 miles was our longest one.”
The Thanksgiving Blessing is just the first event of the season that aims to help families prepare holiday meals. Next month, the Christmas Blessing will do the same thing. While the Thanksgiving event is a collaboration with the Alaska Food Bank and corporate sponsors, the Christmas Blessing is organized and funded locally. LouAnne Carroll-Tysdal says that allows for more flexibility when it comes to making baskets. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming only about a month apart, she hopes to be able to provide a little variety in December.
“We will be putting ham or turkey and standard rolls, butter, oranges….But we’re just looking for some other items to make peoples’ Christmas baskets a little cheerier.”
Making the baskets more festive for Christmas means the pantry needs more diverse items. LouAnne says there are a few things in particular that Northern Valley residents who are looking to contribute can help with.
“For the Christmas baskets in particular, we are looking for crackers, butter…one-pound blocks of cheese, chocolate—the things that everybody wants.”
The Christmas Blessing event will be held on Saturday, December 17th at the Upper Susitna Food Pantry.
