2018 Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT Provides During the Holiday Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2018
Anchorage, AK – The 2018 Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT event will be held next week, Wednesday and Thursday, December 12 – 13, 2018, from 12 – 7 PM, at the Anchorage Sullivan Arena. Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT is an annual event that provides gifts for children in need who are 14 years of age and younger in the Anchorage bowl area and food preparations for a festive holiday meal. Those living in Eagle River/Chugiak (99567, 99577, 99695) can pick up gift and/or food at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Eagle River on December 12, 2018, from 12 – 7 PM. For those who have not already pre-registered and are in need this holiday season, they can also register at the event to receive gifts for children and/or pick-up food. Distribution days are divided by zip codes and can be found here.
The 2018 Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT event is held in partnership between The Salvation Army Alaska Division, the Food Bank of Alaska and Lutheran Social Services of Alaska. Food and gifts for the event are provided by generous community members and organizations in Anchorage and the surrounding areas. The 2018 event location, Sullivan Arena, is provided by the generosity of the Rasmuson Foundation.
“Food Bank of Alaska will be providing groceries to help with a holiday meal, including a whole frozen turkey,” Food Bank of Alaska Chief Executive Officer Jim Baldwin says. “Families are so relieved that they can provide a holiday meal without having to jeopardize their rent payment or gas to get to work.”
“Thank you to all who have donated gifts, time and money towards The Salvation Army, providing us the opportunity to hold events like this that provide a sense of hope for those in need during this special time of year,” stated The Salvation Army Alaska Divisional Commander Major John Brackenbury.
The Salvation Army of Anchorage is still in desperate need of holiday volunteers! You can volunteer this season by bell ringing to help us raise funds to assist people in need here in our community, help us sort toys and make Christmas a little brighter for a family in need or deliver some joy during our Neighborhood GIFT event. Sign-up to help The Salvation Army through the online volunteer portal at alaska.salvationarmy.org.
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The Salvation Army Alaska Division
The Salvation Army, an evangelic part of the universal Christian church, supports those in need in His name without discrimination, offering spiritual encouragement and basic services to meet the needs of Alaskans in 18 communities. The Salvation Army has been caring for mind, body, spirit and soul of individuals, children and families in Alaska since 1898. In 2017, The Salvation Army served 410,166 meals helping more than 7,400 Alaskans monthly, provided 71,175 bed nights, 36,926 toys and gifts and more than 13,900 clothing items provided. For more information and to donate towards these efforts, please visit alaska.salvationarmy.org.
Food Bank of Alaska
Food Bank of Alaska believes that no one deserves to be hungry. Food Bank of Alaska is dedicated to eliminating hunger in Alaska by obtaining and providing food to partner agencies feeding hungry people and through anti-hunger leadership. Last year, the organization distributed 7.3 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 6 million meals – through more approximately 200 partner food programs across the state. Donations to support these efforts can be made at foodbankofalaska.org.
Lutheran Social Services of Alaska
Lutheran Social Services of Alaska is a non-profit social service agency providing aid to low-income individuals and families throughout Alaska. Located in midtown Anchorage, our offices and food pantries serve hundreds of clients every week. Many of our clients live in desperate conditions: some have to make choices between heating their homes or paying for life-sustaining medications, many do not have the funds to purchase enough food, some have no roof over their head, and others suffer from substance abuse, medical issues, or mental health issues. As a partner of the United Way of Anchorage, we gain the opportunity to join with other agencies in addressing urgent human needs throughout the state of Alaska. For more information, please visit lssalaska.org.