As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the economy, more families need food in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. And two organizations are trying to fulfill that demand.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture allocated $3 billion in aid for organizations to send fresh food to people who need it. The food comes from farmers struggling to sell their produce amid the pandemic. Alaska Commercial Company is one of the organizations giving out that food. Kyle Hill is the vice president for recruitment and marketing.
"We were told at the end of June that we have the green light to do this. So we scrambled, put together a plan," Hill said.
AC coordinated with nonprofits and tribal governments to distribute food boxes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Those boxes contain fresh produce and dairy products. The first shipment was last week and went to 22 communities, including Bethel. AC distributed 1,560 boxes in their first delivery for the region, but Hill said that number has grown.
"We've heard from our communities that that they could use more boxes, because a lot of folks can really use the food, you know, due to COVID and other things. We're increasing the numbers," Hill said.
It takes about a week to add the extra boxes and communities, Hill added.
"If there are any communities that are not receiving boxes that are interested, they should reach out either to the nearest AC store, or to the AC office in Anchorage. And we'll do our best to add them to the program," Hill said.
It’s up to nonprofits and tribal governments to determine who qualifies. Hill says that communities have lists of Elders and people on fixed incomes that need the food. The program will run until the end of August, but could be extended.
Meanwhile, the Lions Club Food Bank in Bethel has also seen their demand double. Susan Taylor has volunteered there for decades.
"But all the times I've run it, no, not that many clients I’ve seen like now," Taylor said.
The food bank had to shut down in March due to restrictions, but ramped back up again. In January of this year, they were serving 71 families and 277 individuals. In May, that number was 211 families and 866 individuals. In June, the Alaska Food Bank lifted the waiver for diaster Food Boxes, leading to even bigger numbers: 284 families and 1012 individuals. The waiver has since been restored, but the requirements have expanded to allow more families to qualify. Taylor says that so far, they have been able to meet the demand.
The next Bethel Food Bank will be on July 25 behind the Bethel Lions Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also in Bethel, the AC produce and dairy boxes will be available every Friday at the Cultural Center parking lot from 4 to 5 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. There is no application or income requirement for the AC boxes.
The article has been updated to reflect correct information about food bank numbers and to clarify who lifted the requirements for the disaster food boxes distributed by Lion's Food Club and the food bank.