You are using an outdated browser that does not comply with web standards. This site and most others will look better in a browser that supports current standards. If you want to download a better browser there are many good ones to choose from and all of them are free.
AFC Headlines
April 30, 2012
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), through a grant from the USDA Food Nutrition Service, offers a nutritional food assistance program for federally recognized tribes called the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Although there are no Indian reservations in Alaska, save Metlakatla, FDPIR can still be administered by federally recognized tribes in Alaska. The majority of Alaska's 229 federally recognized tribes are located in rural Alaska. Please feel free to share the FDPIR brochure which outlines the food distribution program in Alaska. While Alaskans continue working out the prickly details on subsistence harvesting restrictions in rural Alaska, ANTHC's food distribution program is here to help federally recognized tribes supplement the food resource needs for all income eligible households, both Native and non-Native, in their community. For additional information contact Gregory Nothstine, Program Manager, 907-729-2975, or http://anthctoday.org/community/fdpir.html
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the April 15, 2012 teleconference have been posted.
March 26, 2012
Summer Food Service Program
Would you like to offer free food to children? The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a USDA program designed to pick up where school meals leave off. This program is very flexible and can be very easy to implement. The best part is that you don't have to take individual income applications. That's right, any child or teen that shows up gets served. No paperwork for participants, food is completely free to youth. Food Bank of Alaska is happy to help you determine if this is the right program for you. And it's free! Contact Kylie Clark, Child Nutrition Manager at kclark@foodbankofalaska.org or 222-3107 or toll free at 1-877-366-3448.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the March 15, 2012 teleconference have been posted.
February 27, 2012
Tax-Aide
Its tax time and AARP Tax-Aide sites offer basic tax return preparation for most low and middle income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers trained by the IRS. Clinics will be held in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Kenai Peninsula, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Valdez and Kodiak. All locations are staffed by volunteers using donated space. For the most current information, please call the Alaska 2-1-1 referral line or 1-800-478-2221.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the February 16, 2012 teleconference have been posted.
January 31, 2012
Addressing Homelessness in Alaska
The January 19 Alaska Food Coalition teleconference featured two programs that address homelessness in Alaska. John Pendrey, Chief, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, Alaska Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System give a brief overview of the Alaska VA Healthcare System's effort to end chronic homelessness among Alaska Veterans by October 2014. The VA is working on identifying the issues affecting homeless veterans in Alaska communities. In 2009 President Obama declared having homeless veterans in the United States unacceptable; the Secretary of Defense made ending homelessness among veterans the number one priority. The program has 6 pillars:
- Outreach and Education
- Treatment Services
- Prevention of Homelessness
- Housing and Supportive Services
- Employment and Income
- Community Partnerships
Rob Marx, Housing Services Specialist, RurAL CAP gave an update on Karluk Manor in Anchorage. Karluk Manor opened on December 8. Currently, 44 of the 46 apartments are occupied by former homeless residents. A significant number of residents have decreased their drinking, which has decreased the number of problems created by drinking. Lunch and dinner is served by Bean's Café – when they first opened attendance was sparse, but now residents have meals in shifts because the meals are very popular. This is a strong indicator that residents are becoming engaged. Similar programs in the lower 48 have noted similar successes; it is an indicator residents are starting to make healthy choices. For additional information on these two programs, go to the January 19 AFC Teleconference Minutes.
Learn MoreDecember 30, 2011
AFC 2012 Annual Meeting
Monday, February 6 through Wednesday, February 8, 2011
Baranof Hotel, Juneau, Alaska
Tentative Schedule
Monday, February 6
10:00 – 11:00 am – AFC Member Legislative Briefing
11:00 am – Legislative Opening Session
Noon – 1:45 pm: Lunch, Baranof Hotel, Keynote: Rep. Cathy Munoz
2:00 – 2:45 pm – AFC Legislative Priorities Training Session:
Advocating for School Meals
Advocating for State Funding for Emergency Food
2:00 – 5:00 pm – AFC Member Legislative visits (prescheduled)
6:30 p.m. Dinner – The Glory Hole Shelter/Soup Kitchen/Care Center>
Tuesday, February 7
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast, Baranof Hotel, Keynote: John Moller, Senior Rural Affairs Advisor>
9:00 am – Noon: Legislative visits (prescheduled)
Noon – 1:45 pm: Lunch – Baranof Hotel, AFC Membership Meeting:
ü Review of FY2011 Goals and Legislative Agenda
ü Approval of the FY2012 Goals
ü 2012 AFC Executive Committee Elections
2:00 – 6:00 pm - Legislative Visits
7:00 pm – Dinner – on own
Wednesday, February 8
8:00 – 9:45 pm – Breakfast Panel – State and Federal Program Update, Baranof Hotel
Erin Walker-Tolles, HHS, Program and Policy Development Chief, DPA
Kathleen Wayne, HHS, WIC Program Director
Jo Dawson, DEED, Child Nutrition Program Administrator
10:00 am – 11:30 Legislative Visits
11:45 am – 1:15 pm – Lunch, Legislative De-Brief, Baranof Hotel
The meeting will end at approximately 1:15 pm on Wednesday, 2/8/12.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the December 15, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
December 1, 2011
Rebates for Seniors on Energy Star Appliances
For a limited time, Alaskans 60 years or older as of 10/1/11 are eligible for appliance rebates. Energy Star refrigerators, freezers, washers and dishwashers are eligible. To participate, call the AK Rebate Center at the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, 1-877-257-3228 no later than December 15, 2011.
- Complete and return the application to AHFC
- AHFC will send out a voucher that is good for 30 days
- Purchase qualifying appliance(s) within 30 days
- Return the voucher and receipt(s) no later than January 15, 2012
- Eligible rebates will be paid within 60 days
Funds are limited, so it’s first come, first served.
Rebates for Seniors on Energy Star Appliances
The Alaska Food Coalition is awarding 8 grants to organizations working throughout the state to end hunger in Alaska. These grants help food and nutrition programs build their capacity to distribute food by granting funds for equipment purchases such as small freezers and refrigerators, for repairing basic kitchen equipment like stoves and other appliances or for staff training on subjects like safe food handling. These annual awards are made in amounts up to $1,000.
FY2012 Mini-Grant recipients
- Children’s Meal Mission, Anchorage
$1,000 – Warming Tables, Kitchen Supplies - Food Bank of Valdez, Valdez
$1,000 – Refrigerator - Sterling Area Seniors, Sterling
$951.20 – Salad Bar - Wrangell SDA Church, Wrangell
$1,000 – Update Building Wiring - Downtown Soup Kitchen, Anchorage
$1,000 – Electric Food Processor - Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Soldotna
$1,000 – Garden Tools - Wasilla Area Seniors, Wasilla
$1,000 – Refrigeration Service - Zach Gordon Youth Center, Juneau
$1,000 – 3-Sink System
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the November 17, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
November 2, 2011
Food Stamp Trends
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service recently released a new study, “Dynamics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation in the Mid-2000s”. The report describes individuals’ patterns of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) from 2004 to 2006. The report noted:
- SNAP participants tend to enter and leave the program frequently
- Families with children are twice as likely to enter SNAP as families without children
- Elderly participants, on average, stay on SNAP longer than other age groups
- A change in family income is the most common reason for entering or exiting SNAP
Another USDA report from the Office of Research and Analysis, “Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households: Fiscal Year 2010” found:
- 47% were under age 18
- Nearly 30% of SNAP/food stamp households had earnings in 2010
- Only 8% of all SNAP/food stamp households received cash welfare benefits, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Over 21% of SNAP/food stamp households receive Social Security
- Over 21% of SNAP/food stamp households receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- The average gross income for all SNAP/food stamp households was $731 per month
For information on participating in the food stamp program in Alaska, contact:
Paul Watson, Alaska Food Coalition Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator
907-222-3119
foodstamps@foodbankofalaska.org
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the October 20, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
October 1, 2011
Food, Clothing and Lodging
AFC was an exhibitor at the HUGGS and Coats for Kids Anchorage event that took place this August. Catholic Social Services, Lutheran Social Services, Anchorage School District and The Salvation Army are major sponsors. This year, over 5400 students received coats and school supplies, with 1500 families participating. The Alaska Food Coalition table was right next to AFC member NeighborWorks. We distribute information about the food stamp and senior benefit programs and NeighborWorks provides information on clean, affordable apartment housing in Anchorage. This year, we put out a call to another AFC member, Anchorage WIC (Women Infants and Children Program) for literature to give to the kids who come with their parents for the supplies. WIC came up with over 600 nutrition focused coloring and recipe books for us to distribute. The kids loved the coloring books, and the parents loved the recipe books - a winning combination for everyone. Thanks to all who participated to help make this event a huge success.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the September 15, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
September 1, 2011
Funding Senior Nutrition Programs
For seniors, poverty is the leading cause of hunger, living alone is another risk factor. Older Americans faced with hunger are more likely to report poor health; live at or below the poverty level; and be divorced, separated or living with a grandchild. Feeding America, the nation’s leading anti-hunger relief organization, estimates the number of seniors facing hunger will increase nationally from 5 million to 9.5 million by 2025. The Alaska Food Coalition created “The Case for Increased Funding for Senior Nutrition Services in Alaska” to help explain how senior nutrition programs are funded in Alaska, and where the needs are. Read the paper »
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the August 18, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
August 1, 2011
Alaska Recognized For Best Food Stamp Payment Accuracy Rate
Congratulations to our partners at the Department of Public Assistance who do an outstanding job managing the food stamp program in Alaska. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in June that state partners have improved payment accuracy and program integrity in the nation's largest nutrition assistance program, SNAP. In Alaska, SNAP is called Food Stamps. Secretary Vilsack commended selected states for their excellence in administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in FY 2010. The national average level of program payment accuracy for FY 2010 is 96.19 percent, the fourth consecutive year the program has achieved a historically high rate. Alaska was one of nine states recognized for the Best Payment Accuracy Rate. View the Press Release.
- Florida 0.78%
- South Dakota 1.31%
- Delaware 1.52%
- Illinois 1.70%
- Mississippi 1.92%
- Wisconsin 1.97%
- Georgia 1.99%
- Texas 2.13%
- Alaska 2.15%
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the July 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
July 1, 2011
Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive
It’s time for the FY2012 Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive. Coalition benefits include:
- Access to a network of anti-hunger agencies throughout Alaska
- Opportunity to form relationships and share best practices with government and charitable agencies involved in anti-hunger work
- Information and research about anti-hunger efforts in Alaska
- Collaboration in the future of the coalition’s statewide anti-hunger work
- Platform to inform the public, legislators and opinion makers on issues of hunger
- Access to a mini-grant that will give funds for capacity building and is only available to member organizations
All coalition members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, which will be held February 6-8, 2012 in Juneau. Dues paying members can apply for a scholarship to cover travel costs. Inclusion in all Alaska Food Coalition meetings, teleconference calls, website updates and email newsletters will give your agency a chance to expand your organization and build opportunities to make a difference.
For a membership form, questions or comments, please contact Vanessa Salinas, Alaska Food Coalition Manager, by phone, 907-222-3103 or by email.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the June 16, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
June 1, 2011
Summer 2011 Food Stamp Outreach
Look for Food Stamp Outreach to expand this summer. We will be at the Spenard Farmers Market in Anchorage starting May 21. The Spenard Farmer’s Market and the Homer Farmer’s Market are scheduled to accept EBT cards/food stamps this summer. This is a pilot project sponsored by the State of Alaska Obesity Prevention and Control Program, Division of Public Assistance, Division of Agriculture, and Cooperative Extension Services/FSNEP.
AFC staff will be meeting with agencies and Department of Public Assistance staff in Fairbanks this June to identify opportunities for Food Stamp Outreach in the Interior.
Member News
Family Promise Mat-Su Cardboard City fundraiser will take place July 15 at the Alaska State Fair Grounds, Purple Gate. This is the third year for the annual fundraiser to raise awareness about homelessness in Mat-Su Valley. Event participants collect pledges to increase the number of cardboard boxes used to make your temporary home for the night. Get additional information about Family Promise Mat-Su or check out their YouTube video.
Volunteers Needed
The Alaska Food Coalition is looking for volunteers to assist outreach efforts to help connect low-income Alaskans with benefits through the Food Stamp program and Alaska Senior Benefit program. Activities include:
- Participation in food stamp outreach volunteer training
- Working as greeters or provide information, pre-screening, and application assistance to individuals at agency and food stamp outreach events
- Conducting follow-up telephone surveys of individuals contacted through outreach events
- Administrative support through data entry
Volunteers are especially helpful for Thanksgiving Blessing. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about food stamp outreach, contact us.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the April 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
May 2, 2011
Member News
The Tanana District office of Cooperative Extension Services moved to a new home in February, 724 27th Ave. in Fairbanks, upstairs at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank building with its own entrance. The new space will have a large classroom with videoconferencing capabilities. More information on Cooperative Extension Services.
“Fairbanks Community Food Bank welcomes CES as partners in our food bank. We have worked together for many years, in various projects which serve low income families, and we believe that partnership is strengthened by co-locating. We can expect even more classes in crock-pot cooking, how to make baby food at home, childhood obesity projects, Strong Women classes, and, of course the Master Gardeners and Master Preservers classes. 4-H will also continue to use the food bank facility for some of their projects. It just makes sense to align those who need the services with those who provide continuing education to improve family sustainability during these challenging economic times.” Samantha Castle Kirstein, Executive Director, Fairbanks Community Food Bank
Summer Food Service
Summer Food Service Program provides free food to any child under the age of 19, pregnant women, and adults with special needs. No qualifying information needs to be gathered from participants and administrative duties are very light. Food, shipping, training and advertising are provided at no cost to the site. To contact, please email Kylie Clark, Child Nutrition Coordinator for Food Bank of Alaska, call 907-222-3107 or fax 907-277-7368.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the April 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
April 1, 2011
From The USDA Briefing Room
The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service plays a leading role in Federal research on food security—access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life—in U.S. households and communities. They estimate in 2011, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food is projected to increase 3 to 4 percent. Higher food commodity and energy prices have recently exerted pressure on wholesale and retail food prices. These cost pressures, along with strengthening global food demand, have pushed inflation projections upwards for 2011. Read more about Food CPI and Expenditures.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the March 17, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
March 1, 2011
Alaska Food Coalition 2011 Annual Meeting
Representatives from 14 Coalition member organizations from Nome to Juneau met in Juneau February 6, 7 and 8. AFC officers Heather Harris, President, Gloria Benson, Vice President, AnnaBell Stevens, Secretary, and Susannah Morgan, Treasurer, were re-elected for a second term. Members met with state legislators and administrators to express support for funding for school meals, extending funding for the senior benefits program and expanding Denali Kid Care. 50 guests and a dozen legislators attended the 4th annual AFC legislative breakfast “From Seven to Seventy: Ending Hunger Among Alaska’s Most Vulnerable Populations” sponsored by Senator Bill Wielechowski and Representative Mike Hawker. AFC members met with AGENET and National Association of Social Workers Alaska Chapter members to share information and legislative strategies.
AFC members agreed one of the highlights of the meeting was a tour of The Glory Hole Shelter, Soup Kitchen and Care Center. Ray Cole, Special Projects Manager, and Mariya Hovishchyk, Executive Director, gave coalition members a tour of the new walk-in freezer (Glory Hole was a FY10 Alaska Food Coalition Mini-Grant recipient) and their roof-top and terraced garden project. This summer, clients and volunteers stacked 11.6 tons of cinder block in one day for the garden retaining wall. View pictures and find out more information on the garden project.
AFC Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Erin Walker Tolles, Chief of Policy for the Department of Public Assistance (DPA),gave a terrific overview of the programs DPA oversees, including Food Stamps, Senior Benefits, Medicaid, Child Care, Heating Assistance, Temporary Assistance, WIC and Adult Public Assistance. Over 100,000 Alaskans receive assistance through DPA each month. DPA recently received awards for cutting Food Stamp client backlogs and wait times. Department caseloads are up 16%, a 60% increase in 5 years.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the February 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
February 1, 2011
Food Stamp Outreach Receives Recognition
On December 29, the Alaska Food Coalition received a letter of recognition from Acting Commissioner William J. Streur, Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services for our efforts to improve the welfare of Alaskans. We were nominated by Venietia Santana from the Public Assistance office for meeting or exceeding the Department’s expectations in demonstrating successful outcomes to Alaskans. This is a result of the efforts of coalition members who work tirelessly to get more food to more Alaskans every day. Kudos’s to all of us!
A sincere thank you goes out to the Food Stamp Outreach volunteers who attended Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT on December 21. From Eagle River to South Anchorage, over 5200 families visited six sites. Youth volunteers from the POWER program staffed Food Stamp Outreach tables at Fairview Elementary School and Congregation Beth Shalom. Department of Public Assistance staff noted an increase in food stamp applications at the Gambell and Muldoon offices following Neighborhood GIFT. During the last quarter of 2010, we helped over 150 clients complete food stamp applications.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering for Food Stamp Outreach, Contact Us.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the January 20, 2011 teleconference have been posted.
