Juneau Empire
United Way of Southeast Alaska has distributed $52,375 in grants to seven agencies serving 16 communities across Southeast Alaska from its COVID-19 Response Fund since it was launched in March 2020, UWSEAK announced.
The fund provided resources for local food pantries and food banks to continue to serve community members experiencing food insecurity because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, UWSEAK said in a news release.
Significant contributors to the fund include Sealaska Corporation, the Rasmuson Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank Alaska, according to UWSEAK. Many individual donors also contributed to the efforts.
“As residents across the region continue to struggle due to this unprecedented public health crisis and its lingering economic impact, UWSEAK remains committed to partnering with these and other critical organizations to support those in need,” said UWSEAK Board Chair Jennifer Treadway in a news release.
According to USWEAK, grants were prestented to the following agencies:
The Salvation Army, a United Way partner agency, for their food pantries in Angoon, Haines, Hoonah, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, Klawok, Petersburg, Sitka and Wrangell.; Southeast Alaska Food Bank and Helping Hands Food Pantry, both in Juneau;Catholic Community Services, a United Way partner agency, to support their food efforts in Skagway, Craig and Klawock; Metlakatla Ministerial Association, Yakutat Tribe and the Gustavus Visitors Association.
While distributing the grants, UWSEAK sought to support pantries serving various populations throughout Southeast Alaska, including multiple pantries that they had not previously funded, according to USWEAK.
