Local credit union giving back and increasing food security

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - You may have seen the little free pantries around town and wondered who contributes to them.

While anyone in the community is welcome to make donations to the pantries, Mac Federal Credit Union (MACFCU) has a volunteer group called “MACPAC” that are regular donators to these free food resources.

Sabrina Webb, the CRO and Executive Sponsor of Mac’s volunteer group, credits a group of students from Hutchison High School who constructed the pantries a couple years ago for our community.

Webb describes MACPAC’s philanthropic group, “MACPAC is 100% employee run, and for the pantries is 100% employee funded.” The group contributes to the pantries on a regular bi-weekly schedule. With a budget of about $500 a month, the group is able to contribute around $250 worth of goods upon each contribution.

The goal of the pantries is simply to help anyone experiencing food insecurity in our community. The pantries are typically filled with shelf-safe, non-perishable food items that are free for taking. However, food is not the only thing you can find in the pantries. Sometimes generous donations can include clothing, toiletries, and hygiene products. The limitations for what you are able to donate has very few limits and any item from food to the items just listed are welcomed.

Webb emphasized, “Most of us at some point in our lives may experience some sort of food insecurity and for most of us we’re one or two paychecks or a critical life situation away from being in need.”

She added, “Anybody can come to any one of these locations, 24 hours a day, if they need something. They are able take something for their family. If they’re able to give, they’re able to donate all at the same time. So, it’s really wonderful.”

Below is list of locations of a few of the available pantries that are free to take from and or make donations to:

“Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes,” Webb concludes.

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