Jessica Stevens Community Foundation awards emergency grants to KTNA, Upper Susitna Food Pantry

At an emergency meeting on Thursday, the board of directors of the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation voted to award two emergency grants due to the McKinley Fire.

Jessica Stevens Community Foundation Board President Will Peterson says the board recognizes the extraordinary nature of the situation caused by the fire has put increased pressure on community organizations.

The foundation is granting $2,000 to KTNA to support costs incurred covering the McKinley Fire.  Peterson says the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation is aware that KTNA has recently had all state funding vetoed, and authorized the grant from the foundation’s Memorial Fund.

The Upper Susitna Food Pantry will be receiving a grant of $4,000.  Peterson praised the pantry’s efforts to provide hot meals to evacuees from the fire in addition to its normal services.  Funds for the food pantry grant are coming from the Talkeetna Bachelor Society’s fund for women, children, and families in crisis, which is managed by the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation.

In addition, the foundation plans to produce a “Fire Wise” workshop this winter.

The Jessica Stevens Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation.