Thank you, Alaska legislators
Thank you, Alaska legislators Members of the 31st Alaska Legislature and their staff did an outstanding job of raining funds for the Southeast Alaska Food Bank at the 20th annual Thanksgiving in March event on March 10.
The dessert auction is a popular feature of this event, and auctioneer Sen. Peter Micciche did an excellent job of entertaining the crowd and bidding on the desserts that were donated specifically for the event. Every pie and cake sold for more than $500 each, with one pie going for an unprecedented $3,200.
The silent auction items added to the excitement of the night and was a huge success as well with many local business and individuals donating an amazing array of items for the event.
A fundraising event of this magnitude requires many individuals and organizations working together in harmony for it to be successful, and this year was no exception.
We’d like to thank Rob Daniels and Shelly Hurt of the Imperial Saloon, for donating the use of the saloon venue for the event, and their staff who did a great job throughout the evening.
Big thanks to Rick Wilson at Foodland IGA and his outstanding deli staff who cooked and prepared 150 pounds of turkey, 60 pounds of ham and all the trimmings for the buffet dinner for the event. Tony deMelo of Super Bear IGA also assisted with the meal planning and delivery of the hot food to the Imperial Saloon.
Many thanks to Sens.Jesse Kiehl, Micciche, Click Bishop, Shelley Hughes, Scott Kawasaki and Reps.Andi Story, Bart LeBon and Mel Gillis, who donned an apron and served up the buffet to over a hundred hungry individuals.
Thank you, Heather Brakes and Kevin Jardell, for helping to plan the event and then directing the sale of tickets to legislators and their staff.
Jennifer Miller of Holland America Group did an outstanding job in helping to plan the event and securing popular donations from Holland America Line, Alaska Airlines and Alaska Railroad for the event.
Liz Barlow, Ashlyn Antoni, Holly Reeder and Kara Tetley of the Juneau chapter of the Alaska Travel Industry Association were instrumental in planning and setting up and dismantling the event, and processing all payments of the auction items. They also arranged for the extra tables and chairs to be picked up and returned after the event. Nice job ATIA.
Thanks also to Diapc Salmon Hatchery, Resurrection Lutheran Church and Auke Bible Church for the loan of extra table and chairs for the event, and the Juneau Travelodge who also loaned us their beautiful chafing dishes and pans for the buffet.
In 2019 the SEAFB provided 500,000 pounds of food to local food pantries, non-profit organizations, and individuals and families of Juneau who experience food insecurity. We would not have been able to do this without the generation donations we receive from our donor grocery stores and businesses each day. These include Fred Meyers, Safeway, Super Bear, Foodland, Costco, Breeze Inn, Northern Sales and SEAK. Thank you.
The goal of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank is to continue to make a difference in the quality of life for those in need. The COVID-19 pandemic has already strained the inventory at the SEAFB, and the success of fundraiser gives us additional dollars to purchase food for our warehouse.
With sincere appreciation and thanks,
Dave Lefebvre Chris Schapp
Board President Manager
