Alaskan Hunters Fighting Hunger &
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| Alaska's three largest population centers, Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Kenai Peninsula, now have programs for successful hunters who want to donate meat to an important cause. Food Bank of Alaska in Anchorage, Fairbanks Community Food Bank Service, and Kenai Peninsula Food Bank have developed systems to accept meat from hunters and distribute it to needy Alaskans. These three agencies are among Alaska's largest distributors of food for those in need. | |
 Alaska moose and caribou carry large amounts of high quality meat. Hunters are ethically andlegally bound to salvage this meat for human consumption, but not every hunter wants the quantities involved. Some guided hunters are primarily seeking large antlered game, and the meat is a secondary consideration. While many guides and other hunters have developed their own distribution systems, these programs offer an alternative for other hunters who want to see their meat well used. (Photo by Wayne Kubat, Alaska Remote Guide Service) Here is more about these important programs: |
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ANCHORAGE The most difficult food to obtain for hungry folks is also one of the most important for health- protein.The Alaskan Hunters Fighting Hunger program can help fix that. By donating game meat, "hunters provide us with thousands of pounds of donated game meat each year. Game meat is very important in filling out our nutritious offerings," says Susannah Morgan, Executive Director of Food Bank of Alaska. And it is easy. Hunters simply need to sign a transfer of possession form and drop the game of at one of Food Bank of Alaska's airline partners: Northern Air Cargo, ERA and PenAir. These partners will transport the game to Anchorage. Morgan says her agency uses game processors in Anchorage to clean, grind and package the game for use by nonprofit agencies that feed hungry men, women and children throughout the state. Food Bank of Alaska distributes more than 3 million pounds of food, or over 1.5 million meals, annually to 250 nonprofit agencies throughout Alaska. Morgan is actively seeking contributions from individuals and organizations to support the Alaskan Hunters Fighting Hunger program. If you or your organization can help, please contact her at the address below.
Food Bank of Alaska |
FAIRBANKS Fairbanks Community Food Bank Service Executive Director Samantha Castle Kirstein says the program has been a vital part of their food collection efforts for six years. "Hunters bring in tons of meat each year," Kirstein said. "It comes in halves, quarters, and already cut up and frozen in 2 pound packages." Kirstein said the food bank provided food assistance to over 8,000 households in 1996, including about 25,000 people. "The quantity of meat needed to serve these large numbers of local people is hard to come by and this Food Bank is very grateful for hunter donations to the program." She said that many of the recipients have traditional needs or health problems and this type of meat is very appreciated. "The tradition of sharing is alive and well among Alaskan hunters," Kirstein said. (From the ADF&G Alaska Hunting Bulletin 5/97)
Fairbanks Community Food Bank Service |
KENAI PENINSULA Kenai Peninsula Food Bank |
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State game regulations require hunters transferring meat to record the transaction. A "Transfer of Possession" form (a form is included in the Alaska hunting regulations book) with one copy for the hunter and one for the recipient of the meat will work nicely. (Photo by David M. Johnson)
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