Preparing for GIFT at Congregation Beth Sholom

The Food Bank of Alaska sponsors a program to distribute food and toys to families in financial difficulties.

"All Alaskans deserve a warm holiday meal. Every hungry child, every hungry senior, every Alaskan deserves a warm meal, not only during the holidays, but year round. Every December, Food Bank of Alaska partners with The Salvation Army, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Anchorage’s faith community to make the holidays bright for families in need. Neighborhood GIFT provides holiday assistance to more than 4,800 families in Anchorage. Each family served through Neighborhood GIFT will receive a holiday food box and toys for their children (infants to age 12).

Neighborhood GIFT will take place on December 22, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at five locations in Anchorage. If you or someone you know needs extra help making ends meet this holiday season please be sure you and they attend this distribution."

So today we went to one of the five distribution centers (see below) to help set up for tomorrow's distribution.  We spent about 4 hours unloading trucks, stacking tables, and talking with old and new friends. 

• Anchorage City Church (100th and Minnesota)
  99507, 99511, 99515, 99516, 99518, 99522, 99523, 99540, 99587
• Spenard Recreation Center (2020 W 48th Ave) 99502, 99517, 99519
• Fairview Elementary School (1327 Nelchina St at 13th)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  99501, 99503, 99510, 99513, 99520, 99524
  
  
• Congregation Beth Sholom (7525 E. Northern Lights Blvd near Muldooon)
  99504, 99505, 99506, 99509, 99521, 99567, 99577
• Clark Middle School (150 N Bragaw St) 99508, 99514

And then when it was time to go RZZ got on his bike and rode off into the sunset.  He's got about six miles to get home.