Thanks to a $150,000 gift from KeyBank Foundation, Food Bank of Alaska will be better prepared to get food to communities when emergencies happen.
When disaster strikes in Alaska, getting food to communities isn't always simple. Severe weather, transportation disruptions, and limited road access can quickly create challenges for families who depend on reliable access to food.
Being prepared before an emergency happens can make all the difference.
Thanks to a $150,000 grant from KeyBank Foundation, Food Bank of Alaska is taking another important step toward building a stronger, more responsive emergency food network across the state.
On October 20, representatives from KeyBank visited Food Bank of Alaska's Anchorage warehouse to present the grant and learn more about the organization's statewide food distribution operations.
The funding will support Food Bank of Alaska's Disaster Response Preparedness Initiative already underway, helping establish a dedicated reserve of shelf-stable food and water, along with transportation resources that can be deployed quickly when emergencies occur. This investment will help to ensure that Food Bank of Alaska has the shelf-stable food and transportation funding on hand to immediately respond to unexpected needs across the state.
Alaska's geography creates challenges unlike those in most other states. Less than 5% of the food consumed in Alaska is produced locally, and many communities depend on air or marine transportation for essential supplies.
When severe storms, natural disasters, or other unexpected events interrupt those supply chains, getting food to affected communities becomes even more difficult.
Recent challenges, including the aftermath of Typhoon Halong and the federal government shutdown, have reinforced an important lesson: responding to an emergency is only part of the equation. Having the resources available before disaster strikes is just as critical.
Today, much of Food Bank of Alaska's inventory supports ongoing food distribution through its statewide network. Establishing dedicated emergency reserves will help the organization respond to sudden increases in need without compromising the food assistance communities rely on every day.
"This investment from KeyBank will help us respond more quickly and effectively when disaster strikes," said Cara Durr, CEO of Food Bank of Alaska. "Having food inventory and transportation resources available ahead of time will allow us to get assistance to communities faster and better serve Alaskans facing unexpected challenges."
Food Bank of Alaska works with more than 150 partner agencies and nutrition programs across the state, helping provide food to nearly 20,000 Alaskans every week.
In 2025 alone, the organization distributed 10.1 million pounds of food across Alaska (an increase of 20% over 2024).
This established network provides an important foundation for emergency response. Local partner organizations understand the needs of their communities, while Food Bank of Alaska helps coordinate the food resources and distribution systems needed to reach them.
KeyBank's investment will help strengthen that foundation by supporting emergency inventory and transportation reserves that can be mobilized when they're needed most.
"Food Bank of Alaska plays a critical role in supporting communities across the state, especially during emergencies," said Lori McCaffrey, KeyBank Alaska Market President. "We are proud to support this effort to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve access to food for Alaskans in need."
Disaster preparedness requires planning and resources long before an emergency makes headlines.
KeyBank Foundation's $150,000 grant represents an important investment in that work, helping Food Bank of Alaska move toward a more proactive approach to emergency food assistance.
It also demonstrates the meaningful role Alaska's business community can play in strengthening statewide disaster preparedness.
"At KeyBank, we are committed to helping our community thrive," said I.V. Reeves, Regional Corporate Responsibility Officer. "Supporting these efforts is an investment into the infrastructure and resources that help vulnerable Alaskans weather times of crisis."
While this grant marks a significant step forward, building and maintaining emergency food and transportation reserves will require continued investment. Partnerships with businesses, foundations, and community organizations will be essential to expanding these resources and strengthening Alaska's ability to respond to future emergencies.
We're grateful to KeyBank Foundation and its Alaska team for recognizing the importance of this work and helping lay the groundwork for a more prepared Alaska.
Because the time to prepare for the next disaster is before it happens.
Food Bank of Alaska’s Disaster Response Preparedness Initiative is a critical component of the current Strategic Plan, which includes an expanded footprint for food storage and planned renovations to existing and newer facilities, which will require community support.
Organizations interested in supporting Food Bank of Alaska's disaster preparedness efforts are encouraged to contact our team to learn more about partnership opportunities.