Contributed by Michele Harmeling, United Way of Mat-Su
Summer is here, and we're happy to see that life is, as much as possible, returning to normal. We encourage our friends and neighbors to continue caring for their health and the health of their loved ones, getting outdoors, and keeping up to date on guidelines as we transition into this new phase of the COVID-19 situation.
There is great progress being made on big projects here, even as others wrap up. Read more below to find out what we're up to in parks and playground improvements and working on our Arts and Cultural Trail installations, as well as looking back at recent events like “Week of Caring” and our beloved ECP Meals for Mat-Su Littles snack sack program.
We thank you for your stalwart support, and most of all, for your continued resilience. #wegotthis #wearematsu
Emergency Food & Shelter Awards Announced:
United Way of Mat-Su is pleased to announce funds recipients who were selected during Phase 38 of the Emergency Food and Shelter grants program. Recipients are selected by a local board consisting of national, community and borough representatives and faith-based partners.
· Wasilla Area Seniors: $10,000 for served meals
· Family Promise: $18,750 for served meals, shelter, rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance
· Frontline Mission: $13,051 for served meals
· Upper Susitna Food Pantry: $5000 for food
· Connect Mat-Su: $4950 for shelter, rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance
Meals for Mat-Su Littles Program Wrap-Up:
It's hard to believe that we have finished the last day of our Meals for Mat-Su Littles snack sack program.
Over the past six months, an intrepid group of volunteers, with generous support from Mat-Su Health Foundation, has packed, loaded and delivered over 4,000 snack sacks to 16 childcare centers across the Valley. In addition, whatever was had to spare has been donated to agencies like Alaska Family Services domestic violence shelter, Family Promise Mat-Su, friends and neighbors in need.
The importance of this program during COVID-19 cannot be overstated, but it should be mentioned that the feedback we’ve received indicates that the need in the community for weekend food security will not disappear because COVID-19 begins to die down. The families assisted by Meals for Mat-Su Littles overwhelmingly have said that these snack sacks give them peace of mind above and beyond:
“As the mother of a traumatized child who uses food as a security, I was so happy for her to have these! She loves the options and LOVED sharing the things she didn’t like. I feel like it made her feel secure enough to share. Thank you!”
“We appreciated the snack bags so much and grew to depend on them! Thank you for choosing such healthy options. We even had some gluten free stuff that was greatly appreciated…”
“These snacks have been excellent especially after school and on the weekends. They provide me more time to make a better meal for my kids.”
“This program helped me so much this year especially during the five months that my food benefits were delayed so food was scarce. Thank you so much for this program.”
“These snack sacks were a LIFE SAVER! Single mama of three kiddos. Bills add up! It helped with snacks, additions to meals, and made for awesome on-the-go breakfasts.”
Over 500 local daycare-aged children benefited from the hard work of so many local helping hands. Thank you to all who helped out, from the bottom of many hearts, for making this such a resounding success. We hope to renew the snack sack program in the near future.
THANK YOU to all 2021 Week of Caring projects and partners!
Week of Caring was a success, with volunteer groups fanning out to assist partners across the Valley, from Big Lake to Hatcher Pass! Our volunteers raked, shoveled, gardened and beautified for a variety of partner agencies: Family Promise Mat-Su, Skeetawk, Mat-Su Senior Services, The Children's Place, Hagen Park in Palmer, Girl Scouts Camp Togowoods and the Alaska Wild Bird Rehab Center.
Volunteers are the backbone of this annual week of service, and we can't thank each and every one of our volunteers enough! Our partner agencies are so grateful for your help and impressed with the progress you made. Interested in volunteering for Week of Caring or other UWMS volunteer opportunities throughout the year? Register via the website: www.unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer
Parks and Playgrounds Projects:
This summer’s big parks and playgrounds project is to give small local Hagen Park a big face-lift! UWMS and volunteers from Palmer Rotary recently began work to install two climbing domes at Hagen. With this first phase finished, we will soon begin work installing a full-size play structure. We are excited to see Hagen Park come to life with play equipment that all can enjoy.
Special thanks to Palmer Community Foundation, Thrive Mat-Su and Palmer Rotary for supporting this great project!
Hagen Park is located between Eagle and Dolphin Avenues in Palmer. Stop by and check out our progress throughout the summer!