Jessica Stevens Community Foundation board members dropped by the Upper Susitna Food Pantry on December 4 to deliver a special grant of $1000. The food pantry serves about 165 households every month and over 200 with their Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.
The Upper Susitna Food Pantry is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Carroll Carroll explained that she was not afraid “to use my sharp elbows to get our share” when she goes down to the food bank distribution center in Palmer. She and Suzy Kellard, another volunteer, described their plans for including handmade stockings filled with all kinds of goodies as part of their special Christmas baskets.
From L to R: Susie Kellard, Robert Ambrose, Chris Mannix, Carroll Carroll (manager), and Joe Page.
In 2011 and 2012, Jessica Stevens Community Foundation, an Affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation, received matching funds and additional granting capacity from the Rasmuson Foundation. Donors met the Rasmuson challenge to add $15,000 to the JSCF endowment in both years, making it possible for JSCF to help even more local non-profits such as the Upper Susitna Food Pantry.
The Upper Susitna Food Pantry has two locations, one located on Walstead Road near Sunshine Clinic and one in Trapper Creek at the Fellowship Lutheran Church on the Petersville Road. They are open every Tuesday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.