A collaborative effort of the Native Village of Eyak (NVE), Salvation Army, Food Bank of Alaska and a number of others brought food to the table on Thanksgiving for Cordova area residents in need this year.
In advance of the holiday, Vivian Lian, community food assistance program manager for NVE, offered thanks to “NVE, the Salvation Army, Food Bank of Alaska, The Little Chapel, Alaska Marine Lines, Alaska Airlines, the Cordova Police Department, Cordova Scouts Troop 624 and the amazing volunteers who made our Blessing Box distribution a huge success.”
The group effort resulted in 200 blessing boxes being distributed at The Little Chapel on Nov. 19.
Then on Nov. 20 Jackie Ladd organized packing of 80 food boxes at the NVE tribal family services building for a special distribution to elders, Lian said. NVE had purchased a generous amount of fresh produce from a local school fundraiser especially for tribal elders, she said.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Lian was busy running NVE’s monthly food distribution program, which gets food donations from the Food Bank of Alaska. The statewide food bank also provides food for a similar program at the Cordova Salvation Army. The NVE monthly program serves on average some 425 people, or 130 households, she said.
The program is open to all community members who meet program qualification guidelines. Anyone with at least one child enrolled in the Cordova City School District and/or is on Medicaid is eligible.
“We are an equal opportunity provider,” she said. “We are here to assist. We don’t want anyone in Cordova to go hungry. Reach out any time and don’t wait for a monthly distribution if it is an emergency.”
Lian said the NVE food program is also always looking for food and financial donations and volunteers. For more information on making donations of food or money contact Lian at 907-424-2665 or email food@eyak-nsn,gov.
