When disaster disrupted food access across Western Alaska, communities and partners moved quickly to make sure families still had food on the table.
In October, the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought flooding and power outages to Western Alaska, disrupting daily life and creating urgent emergency food needs. Families were displaced from their homes. Communities already operating with thin margins suddenly faced even greater barriers to accessing food.
At the same time, an extended government shutdown in October and November compounded uncertainty across the state. Many Alaskans went without pay. SNAP benefits relied upon by roughly 1 in 11 Alaskans were temporarily put on hold. Nearly $24 million in monthly SNAP funding for Alaska was paused, delaying grocery dollars for households across the state.
These overlapping crises intensified hunger in a state where 14.5% of residents already face food insecurity.
It wasn’t a single crisis. It was a stack of them. And Alaska showed up.
Alaska Stepped Forward Before We Even Asked
As Alaska’s designated food and water donation warehouse during the typhoon response, Food Bank of Alaska moved quickly alongside partners statewide. The need was greater. The logistics were more complex. The urgency was unmistakable across every region.
Before we even had to ask, support began arriving.
State leaders, businesses, community partners and individual donors stepped up to ensure food continued moving where it was needed most.
Public and philanthropic investment played a critical role. The State of Alaska invested additional resources to strengthen food sourcing and distribution across our network of more than 150 partner agencies. Rasmuson Foundation provided meaningful support for Alaska’s anti-hunger leaders during this challenging time, reinforcing stability when uncertainty was high.
Businesses Helped Close the Gaps
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Alaska Airlines, Enterprise Mobility, Coffman Engineers and many other leaders provided financial and in-kind support to strengthen food access statewide.
Transportation partners TOTE and Matson expanded their long-standing partnership with Food Bank of Alaska through additional shipping and financial support, helping move large volumes of food efficiently into the state.
Local and family-owned businesses such as Petro 49, Shoreside Petroleum and Over the Rainbow Toys made critical contributions that sustained distribution levels. Others, including GCI and Crowley Fuels Alaska, provided matching gifts that inspired even broader community participation.
Donors and Volunteers Powered the Response
Our donor and volunteer community showed up in powerful ways.
Food drives, workplace giving, fundraisers, direct gifts and an anonymous December matching challenge amplified generosity across the state.
One standout example was the annual Trick or Eat Food Drive hosted by Brad Brad Schmitz where youth and community members collected food specifically dedicated to neighbors affected by the typhoon. At a moment when Western Alaska communities were navigating flooding, displacement and disrupted infrastructure, that food went directly toward stabilizing access for families impacted by the storm.
Volunteers sorted, packed and prepared distributions at a moment when volume was high and urgency even higher. Donors ensured that when SNAP dollars were paused, families still had access to groceries.
Because of this collective response, households across Alaska had access to food during one of the most challenging and uncertain seasons in recent years.
The Crisis Has Eased. The Need Has Not.
While Alaska is recovering from last winter’s challenges, food insecurity remains a daily reality for too many neighbors.
Rising food and fuel costs. Ongoing supply chain strain. Economic instability. Vast geography. High transportation costs. For families already stretching every dollar, one unexpected disruption can still mean an empty pantry.
In early February, another partial government shutdown reminded us how quickly uncertainty can return.
Food Bank of Alaska and our partner agencies across the state continue this work into what is shaping up to be another challenging year. Demand for food remains elevated.
The fight against hunger is not seasonal. It is steady.
And so is our commitment.
We are deeply grateful to have you alongside us. Thank you for helping keep food moving in the hardest seasons and for continuing to stand with Alaska’s communities in the months ahead.
With Gratitude to the Supporters Who Helped Keep Food Moving
During a time of heightened uncertainty, the following individuals, families, foundations, businesses and community partners showed extraordinary generosity, helping ensure food continued reaching communities across Alaska.
Individual and Family Supporters
Adela Estelle
Alberta and Michael Gardner
Andrew Meltzer and Holly Rogers
Andrew Tompkins
Barbara Maki
Bruce and Diane Shellenbaum
Charles and Mary Bingham
Charles Springer and Carol Mitchell-Springer
Chloe Clark-Berry and James Berry
Daniel and Pauline Rodgers
Debra Caillouet
Duane Miller and Linda McAlister
Elaine and Larry Taylor
Faye Stiehm
Gary and Jane Klopfer
Gary Spraker and Linda Johnson
Gregory and Joan Mattson
Helen and John Fronefield
Holly and David Zumbro
James and Joan Blees
James Bales
Jean Kizer
Jeffrey Rubin
John Evans
John Letourneau and Donna Goldsmith
Kara Van Kooten
Larry Persily
Marcia Bandy and Jack Porter
Marilyn McKay and George Rhyneer
Max Romey
Max Romey, Trailbound Sketches
Michael Jens, in honor of Darlene Jens
Michelle Anderson
Myra Munson
Samuel Abernathy
Stephanie Wrightsman-Birch and Jerome Birch
Stuart and Lauri Bond
Thomas Dunham
Foundations and Philanthropic Partners
Diane and Dorothy Brooks Foundation
Estate of Loisann G. Reeder
Helen W. Bell Charitable Foundation
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Korndrop Foundation
May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
Merjent Foundation
Providence Alaska Foundation
Rasmuson Foundation
Swanson Family Foundation
Verizon Foundation
Corporate and Business Partners
Alaska Airlines
Brown Jug
CoBank
Coffman Engineers
ConocoPhillips Alaska
Dimond Center
Domino’s Pizza
Enterprise Mobility
Goodwill Industries
KEEN Footwear
Lithia Kia of Anchorage
Midas Alaska
Over the Rainbow Toys, Inc.
Petro 49, Inc.
Providence Health & Services
R4 Capital LLC
Shoreside Petroleum, Inc.
Taiga Mining Company, Inc.
Community and Organizational Partners
Anchorage Skal Club #289
Feeding America
Mountain View Lions Club
