NOVEMBER 20, 2015  

Giving thanks by giving back to those in need in our community

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this Thanksgiving season finds you and your families well.  I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some ways we all can help the less fortunate by donating food, warm clothing, and other items this Thanksgiving.   Please take a moment to learn about some of the needs that have come to my attention, and about ways we can provide assistance.

Representative Tarr speaks with members of the Rasmuson Foundation about the bright future of Mountain View. An influx of new business, improved housing, and massive community involvement are all reasons
Mountain View is one of the best places to live in Anchorage.

I have also included information about an offer from the Food Bank of Alaska to provide families in need with a free turkey dinner with all the dressing this Monday.

As you’ve probably read in the paper, the homeless community has been hit hard with an epidemic of drug overdoses due to the synthetic drug known as Spice.  This is a perfect opportunity to let these members of our community know that they have not been forgotten.

Bean’s Café - Serves the homeless, the mentally ill, the elderly, families in temporary crisis, and also assists local agencies in the feeding of children.  To learn more about how to help, please visit their website.
Currently, Bean’s Café is seeking food donations including butter, ham, eggs, stovetop dressing, cranberry sauce, cream of chicken soup, store bought pies, sweet potatoes, fresh fruit, salad dressing, fruit punch, ground coffee, large paper plates, and paper cups. All the things that make for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
With the cold temperatures, they also need scarves, hats, gloves, hand-warmers and socks to help people get through the cold weather.

Donations can be dropped off daily at Bean’s Café at 1101 East 3rd Avenue from 8 am- 4 pm.

Food Bank of Alaska – This is one of my favorite organizations because they do outstanding work on food security, preventing food waste, and encouraging locally sourced food production and purchasing.
They are currently in need of frozen turkeys and nonperishable food of all sorts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their warehouse at 2121 Spar Avenue is open to receive food donations 8 am-4 pm Monday-Friday and 9 am-4 pm Saturday.  Visit their website to learn more about how to donate or volunteer.

The Salvation Army – They are also in need of turkeys, frozen or nonperishable items, snacks, G rated movie tickets and kids videos, disposable diapers, toiletries and towels, winter clothing for adults and kids, and coloring books, crayons and backpacks for kids.  They accept donations around the clock at the Salvation Army McKinnell House at 1712 A street. 

The McKinnell House – This is the only facility in Anchorage providing shelter for two-parent families or single parenting fathers.

Free Turkey with all the Fixin’s  Available Monday.

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr