dailyloe.com – A state-funded emergency food program in Alaska will end this summer. The program delivered food boxes to thousands of Alaskans facing food insecurity. It was launched in late 2025 after a confluence of crises. The funding for the program expires in June.
A disaster in Western Alaska brought on by ex-Typhoon Halong occurred in October. An extended federal government shutdown happened around the same time. These events made access to food uncertain for many Alaskans. The state responded by sending $4 million to the Food Bank of Alaska.
The money was for bolstering food sourcing and distribution efforts. It paid for thousands of emergency food packages. The Food Bank of Alaska coordinated with over 150 partners. They identified community needs and delivered Emergency Food Assistance boxes.
“Alaska is no stranger to disaster,” said Grace Heglund-Lohman. She is the advocacy manager at the food bank. “But what we saw this fall was pretty unique. It was unique in terms of how many crises compounded all at once.”
Halong displaced more than 1,600 people from their home communities. It also displaced them from their usual sources of food. The government shutdown caused delays for over $24 million in SNAP funding. This funding was slated for Alaska.
“Everyone was looking for some emergency food resources at the same time,” Heglund-Lohman said. “The solution we came up with for efficiency was pre-packaged boxes. We got these shelf-stable boxes up to Alaska. Then we sent them out to our partners to provide relief.”
As of mid-April, the food bank had used nearly three-quarters of the funding. They distributed more than 72,000 food boxes. The boxes went to food banks and pantries. Each box contains 14 meals.
Sixty boxes fit on a single pallet. The boxes are packaged in Indiana with a partner. This partner has the necessary space and resources. Then they are shipped to Anchorage and on to communities.
Communities include Bethel, where many Halong refugees ended up. The Bethel Community Foundation is one organization that requested the boxes. It serves about 50 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. The foundation has handled distribution in that area.
The funding expires in June. This will cut off a resource some communities rely on. The resource is not easily replaceable. A gap will remain when the program ends.
