Anchorage, Alaska – Food banks and anti-hunger organizations are facing challenges due to federal funding cuts to the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (LFPA). The Bread Line in Fairbanks has been serving the community since 1984, offering programs such as a soup kitchen, community garden, and culinary job training. The organization relies on local ingredients grown in the region, but with the funding cuts, their ability to provide these essential services is in jeopardy.
Executive director of the Bread Line, Hannah Hill, has seen a 40% increase in service at the soup kitchen in recent years, while federal funding has decreased. The organization partners with local farms like Goosefoot Farm to receive Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) shares, but without funding, they won’t be able to invest in local farmers and will have less food to offer.
In Anchorage, the Food Bank of Alaska raised concerns about the federal cuts, emphasizing the need for community support to help small organizations stay afloat. Chief Advocacy Officer Rachael Miller urged residents to donate food, time, and dollars to local food pantries.
In a letter to states and tribal leaders, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins defended the cuts as an opportunity to improve nutrition programs and lift Americans out of dependency. However, local organizations in Alaska are feeling the impact of these cuts and are calling for community support.
As the need for food assistance continues to grow, organizations like the Bread Line and Food Bank of Alaska are facing tough decisions on how to continue serving their communities with limited resources. The impact of federal funding cuts on these organizations highlights the importance of community support in addressing food insecurity in Alaska.
Source
Photo credit www.alaskasnewssource.com
