More people in need, high food costs put pressure on weekly budget.

By Marcia Kuszmaul

Homer Independent Press

In a year that has seen a 16% increase in its number of clients, the Homer Community Food Pantry holds live and silent auctions of Alaska art and adventures on Wednesday evening, Aug. 26, to ensure the pantry’s cupboards are full.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Porcupine Theater on Pioneer Avenue. The evening kicks off with a full salmon dinner followed by the live auction at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and available online.

A highlight of the auction is an array of handpainted wooden chairs from local artists.  During the renovation of the historic lodging that is now The Moosetide Hotel, the owners, Cheyenne and Angie Clark, removed the chairs from guest rooms and donated them to the food pantry for artists to paint and upholster in their own styles. 

An online preview of auction items includes originals and prints from numerous state and local artists and photographers, jewelry, lodging, dinners, transportation and more. 

“We hope this will be our largest live auction fundraiser to date,” said Deb Schmidt, pantry board member and the driver behind the auction.

For 35 years, the Homer Community Food Pantry has served its mission to provide food and emergency assistance with compassion. It is a beacon for community members both to get hope and to give hope.

Mondays between noon and 3 p.m., a contingent from its roster of 40 to 60 volunteers transforms the Homer United Methodist Church on East End Road into a minimart, with fresh produce, bread products, canned and dry foods and even, on occasion, birthday cakes.

Each week, the pantry serves as many as 300 people, Karen Nogle, president of the pantry board, reports. This past Monday, 177 individuals picked up food for a total of 322 people. Families with children comprise about 25% of its client base, with seniors accounting for another 40%.

The pantry picks up donated foods from local grocery stores, buys items from the Kenai Food Bank at cut-rate prices and accepts donations from local growers, bakers and individuals.

“Even with a generous Homer community, we still need to purchase food,” Nogle said. “If you’ve been in a grocery store lately, you know food costs have also increased.”

Nogle said the board had recently upped its food budget. Schmidt estimates the pantry spends roughly $3,500 a week with a total annual budget of more than $300,000 to cover fixed expense of two paid staff, a Monday dishwasher and basic overhead.

Between distributions, the pantry stocks a free Community Fridge twice a day, seven days a week, sends boxes of food across the bay to Port Graham and Nanwalek once a month, and serves the Anchor Point and Nikolaesk communities as well. Grants from The Homer Foundation support a program that delivers food supplies to the high school every two weeks.

And the pantry is not just for food. It provides emergency assistance with utilities, medical bills, laundry and showers, rent, and limited emergency housing. A HELP line at (907) 235-1968 is accessible outside normal hours.

Under its motto – “so that none may go hungry” – the food pantry is a long-time mutual good, neighbors helping neighbors, that is building and sustaining the community. Information about how to access the services of the Homer Community Food Pantry, become a volunteer or donate food is available online or by calling 907-235-1968.

A timely tip: Cleaning out your boat, rental or refrigerator at the end of the season? Donate your remainders (even open or expired) to the food pantry. Volunteers will evaluate and use appropriately.