1847 W. Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99517
On June 29th, we launched our outdoor food pantry at Lutheran Church of Hope. We have not given it a proper name, but we have lots of great ideas, and it is being well used. I get excited when it is filled, but even happier to see it empty, as that means people in our community are being fed!
This outreach is personal and addresses a great need in the community. Growing up in Pipestone, Minnesota, my dad dealt with food insecurity from a very young age. As an adult, he always made sure that anyone he met was fed, supported, felt seen, and loved. He believed that if we share, there is enough for everyone. In our family of 8 (2 parents and 6 daughters), we always had room for one more at our table and enough food for all.
Last fall, I mentioned to my husband, Todd, that I saw we were feeding people when the church was open, but that an outdoor food ministry was badly needed. This spring, he built the outdoor pantry, and in June the council discussed and voted on a home for it right across from our Little Library. It has been a wonderful addition to our church ministries.
Many ask how to help or what to provide. The list below is an example of what we have been filling the pantry with. I usually walk through Walmart and Costco as they both have many items that are individually wrapped or prepared.
1. Pop-top meals/veggies. Things that do not require a can opener but provide a good meal. Soups, stews, pasta dinners, proteins, Spam, Vienna sausage, tuna or chicken, meat sticks, etc. Once winter comes, we will need to discuss what we can fill the shelves with.
2. Breakfast items. Individual bowls/packages of things like cereal, Pop-Tarts, muffins, crackers, and cheese, coffee packets, nut butters, etc.
3. Drinks. Water is a big need. We always like to have plenty of bottles in the pantry. We also like to add stable, ready-made milk, juices, and protein shakes.
4. Fruit is a great item to add.
5. Recently, we have been adding peanut or almond butter and jelly sandwiches. We put them together, place them in freezer bags, label them with ingredients, and freeze them. Once winter comes and it's cold out, we will add meat, cheese, and butter sandwiches.
6. Personal items. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, soap, lotions, cleansing wipes, etc.
7. Hand and foot warmers, gloves, socks.