The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with loved ones, to help one another, and inspire a sense of giving back in our children. If you know a family in need this year or you need some assistance, below are a variety of statewide resources available this holiday season.
Support for Families
Adopt-a-Family
Interested in sponsoring a family for the holidays? Adopt-a-Family matches families statewide with sponsors to provide for their needs during the holidays. Families are matched by the family size that can be provided for – from a small family of 2-4 people to large families of 7-10 people. For more information about sponsorship, email rachel.chouinard@usw.salvationarmy.org or call (907) 375-3583.
Anchorage GIFT
The Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT is an event hosted by the Salvation Army for residents in the Anchorage bowl area (Anchorage, Eagle River and Chugiak). Gifts are provided for children up to age 14. Register by December 10 to participate here. You can also arrange to donate gifts for this event on the Anchorage Digital Angel Tree List. For Christmas gift assistance in another area, please contact your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center.
Angel Tree Statewide
Give a gift of new clothing or toys to a child this year by signing up at your nearest Angel Tree. The Salvation Army has implemented a new Digital Angel Tree for each Corps location in Alaska. Find a local Angel Tree here. The gifts they receive will be disbursed at their annual Neighborhood GIFT event.
Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis in Anchorage
AWAIC assists single individuals and adults with children who are survivors of domestic violence. Volunteers can adopt an individual or family, by purchasing items from a family’s wish list and assist with holiday preparation. Learn more at www.awaic.org or call 907-743-5753.
Food Assistance
Food Bank of Alaska
The Food Bank of Alaska distributes food to Anchorage residents in need during the holidays. For more information, visit the Food Bank of Alaska website.
Fairbanks Community Food Bank
The Fairbanks Community Food Bank has a goal to provide 275 holiday food boxes this year to local families, and they are still looking for items to complete these boxes. For more information or to donate to the boxes, go to www.fairbanksfoodbank.org.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau
Provides special food and gift baskets to people in need during the holidays. The deadline to sign up for a basket is December 15. Call 907-789-5535 between 1-3 p.m., Monday through Friday for information, or visit www.svdpusa.org.
Bean’s Café in Anchorage
Bean’s Cafe is hosting a Christmas dinner and putting together “Beanie Boxes” for individuals and families. For more information, visit www.beanscafe.org, or in person at 1101 E 3rd Avenue in Anchorage.
Downtown Soup Kitchen in Anchorage
The Anchorage Downtown Soup Kitchen serves between 350-500 cups of soup daily. They also have showers and laundry services available. To volunteer or donate goods, visit their website, or in person at 240 E. 3rd Avenue in Anchorage.
Support for Military Families
Hope for Heroes
Hope for Heroes provides assistance to military families and veterans in need during the holiday season. It also sends care packages to Alaska’s deployed troops throughout the year. Services are provided by appointment only for active-duty military families and veterans. For information, call 907-357- 4673 or email hopeforheroesak@yahoo.com.
Operation Ride Home
The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska partners each year with Jack Daniels to help military families get home during the holidays. Open to junior enlisted service members – Operation Ride Home helps relieve financial burdens for military personnel trying to get home to loved ones during the holidays. Service members can register on the Armed Services YMCA website under the “Operation Ride Home” tab.
Child Care Assistance
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thread assists families in registering for child care assistance in Southeast and Northern Interior Alaska. Use these resources to help make child care more affordable for your family.