The Homer Community Food Pantry would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to our recent Alaskan Arts and Adventures Fundraiser. It netted us slightly over $22,000! First we’d like to thank Cheyenne and Angie Clark, owners of the new Moosetide Hotel for fostering the idea for an auction. Not only that, but they gave us numerous chairs and suggested that we had artists paint them. Thus began this huge endeavor. Secondly, we owe a huge amount of gratitude to the new Credit Union 1 in Homer for making HCFP their Leading Change Partner for 2026 and awarding us $10,000. In addition to that, they paid for our venue at the Porcupine Theater! Annie Garay and her team at SPH made the amazing fireweed event flyers and distributed them around town. Susannah Webster promoted the big event through the fabulous Porcupine Theater.

The beautiful artisan chairs and/or tables were painted by Lori Davis, Charlene Jump, Judy Winn, Deb Rowzee, Dan Coe, Wendall Cummings, Rene Alverez and Musi Youngblood. Individuals donating art pieces were Deb Lowney, Ingrid McKinstry, Jan Peyton, Irene Randolph, Diane Spence Chorman, Debi Poore, Sharlene Cline, Mavis Muller, Sharon Bauer, Franko Venuti, Sea Lion Art, Bob & Marilyn Shroyer, Hal Smith and Susan McLane, Deb Schmidt, David Pettibone, Valisa Higman, Robin Hilts, Robert Sparks, Scott Miller, Carl Bice, Kate Finn, Marian Linder, Beth VanZant and Sage Anderson. Businesses contributing to our event were The Classic Cook, North Wind, Oodalolly, Homer Book Store, Homer’s Jeans, Bunnell Street Art Gallery, Art Shop Gallery, Salty Girls, Nomar, Earthworks, 59 North, Ocean Shores, Spenards, AK Leather, Homer Salt Co., Lulu’s By the Sea, Skinny Owlz, Synergy Gardens, Birch Creek Syrups, Arctic Chiropractic, Louise Franklin, Katchemak Bay Quilters, Homer Whales, Perfect Peonies, Red Barn Farms, Hilltop Farms, Alaskan Hardy, Bay Crest Greenhouse, Alpenglow Skin Products, Jennifer Michaels, June Denver, Sarah Julig, LuAnne Nelson, The Toy Shop, Alasandro’s Market, Kachemak Shellfish Growers and the American Legion Post #16.

Alaska adventures were donated through Maverick Charters, Seldovia Wildlife Tours and Rainbow Tours, Mako’s Water Taxi, True North Kayaks, Meandering Goat and Water Taxi, Cycle Logical and Free Spirit Wear. Now what would be better than to have a fantastic meal, beverage and lodging after your fabulous excursion? To make sure you eat well and sleep well we want to thank The Moosetide Hotel, Majestic View B & B, Beach Combers Inn, AJ’s, The Twisted Goat, Fresh Catch, Harbor Grill, Captain Patties, The Kannery, Latitude 59, Grace Ridge Brewery, Sweetgale Meadworks, Shiva Boom, Little Tutka Brew, Pika Pika, Zen Den, American Burgers, and Rumps. Then top off your night with yummy Carmen’s Gelato, Dolce or Bubbles ice cream!

HCFP wants to give a special shout out to Bob Wolfe from Chugach Wild Salmon Co. He didn’t hesitate to provide the fresh salmon for our dinner that night. He always says, pay it forward! Such a nice man. Antonia and Randall, cooks from the Homer Senior Center, offered to cook the fish. They prepared a dill and pesto sauce to go with it and a delicious chocolate decadent dessert. Folks raved about it! Coal Point provides a boat load of frozen fish each year for us to auction off. Salmon Sisters, Dean Jackson and Tom and Sandy Early also provided fish. Dale Barwick made his delicious smoked salmon to add to the auction items and sell at the end. Red Bird always generously makes a scrumptious dish and Wendall Cummings cooked, other than fish dishes. Numerous friends of the pantry made the salads, casseroles, veggies and desserts. Nobody went home hungry and all the left overs were used the next day for meals in the Community Free Fridge!

Susan McLane and Hal Smith spent the day picking up the many food items and things needed for the auction. Laura Karstens and Pat Moreth diligently worked to set up the silent auction items. Wendall Cummings and Karen Nogle set everything up for the dinner with the help of Jordan and Bentley Fisk. Sarah Bolton helped me with collecting the auction items and was basically my right hand throughout. The Nolan Family donated a case of red wine to sell, The Grog Shop a case of Prosecco, Bear Creek Winery donated bottles of their tasty wines to add to our auction items and the Homer Brewery generously donated as well.

The event started at 6 p.m. so people could have some time to bid on the many silent auction items. When they entered they were given a numbered salmon bidding stick. The Homer Ukulele Group provided ocean songs and sea shanties. Dylan Smith did a tremendous job of setting up the sound system. Ruth Dickerson and Karen Nogle kept track of those who bid on items and checked them out and Trish Alyward handled the financial end of things.

Thanks to our wonderful auctioneer, Zoe Story and her Vanna, Deb Schmidt, the auction began. It was so much fun and everyone was incredibly generous!

I think what touched my heart the most were some of the stories that people told about the items that they had purchased. One gal came in and saw a game board that had been donated and said, “My grandfather made that!” She was thrilled to get it. Another woman who purchased Franco Venuti’s “Try Again Two” said it meant so much because her son just retired from the Coast Guard and had spent time on the Homer Spit and this piece would mean so much to him. Lastly, a gentleman who purchased Fred Machetanz’s “On The Pressure Ice” actually knew the artist and couldn’t believe his good fortune in getting this piece. I know I missed a few people, but know that the Homer Community Food Pantry is extremely grateful to everyone! We are truly humbled and blessed.

“So that none may go hungry.”

Deb Schmidt is a Homer Community Food Pantry board member.