Alaska Public Media | Interview by: Wesley Early | Photo by: Matt Faubion, Alaska Public Media • Published December 26, 2024

A Year After Record Demand, Food Bank Says Need is Higher Than Ever

Alaska Public Media: Last year, food banks across the country saw record high demand for their services, and in many communities, including Alaska, officials say the need is even higher this year. The Food Bank of Alaska works with roughly 150 partners in a state where about 1 in 8 people experience food insecurity.

Data is incomplete for 2024, but Food Bank of Alaska CEO Cara Durr says her organization has seen a rise in requests for food aid, and ran out of food during several community events this year. She says a major driver for the increased demand is the lack of federal resources that were available during the pandemic.