Rotary Clubs Contribute to Food Security in Alaska

Rotary clubs across Alaska are stepping up to meet the challenge of food insecurity in Alaska.

Last fall, the Rotary Club of Kenai launched a statewide Peanut Butter Challenge, inspiring other clubs across the state to support their local food banks. The effort ultimately spread to Washington and Oregon, and netted 6,387 pounds of peanut butter, as well as $9,759 in cash donations, for local food banks.

Peanut butter is one of the most requested donation items for food banks. Greg Meyer, executive director of the Food Bank of the Kenai Peninsula, said there are several reasons for that.

“It is a very popular food, most children love it. It can be eaten without any preparation. It does not need special storage conditions. It can be combined with other foods. It is a great source of protein,” Meyer said.

Meyer estimates about 40 percent of the people who receive assistance from the food bank live in dry cabins, off the grid, or are experiencing homelessness.

“Having peanut butter and crackers, you have a tasty meal that has good nutrition, and you can eat it anywhere and store it anywhere, including the plastic container that is pest-proof,” Meyer said.

Scott Seitz, Kenai Rotary Club president, said the idea for the challenge hatched during a training seminar for Rotary club presidents-elect. Scott reached out to other clubs in Alaska, as well as clubs in his former hometown in Washington.

The challenge helps make connections between clubs, and also helps connect Rotary with the community. Seitz said his wife, Karen, had set up a table to collect donations at the Kenai Safeway. A group of kids went in to buy snacks, but one of the boys, after learning about the challenge, spent his money on a small jar of peanut butter.

The Fairbanks Rotary Club continued the giving this spring, holding a peanut butter drive for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.

“Peanut butter is a quick, easy, shelf-stable, kid-friendly food that is enjoyed by most people. Due to its high protein level, it is a nutritional staple for any meal. Peanut butter can be enjoyed by itself, with fruit, bread or crackers, or as a sandwich. Because of the easy preparation and multiple uses, both adults and children can easily prepare a nutritional meal by using peanut butter as the main ingredient in their meal,” said Anne Weaver, CEO of the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.

Weaver said she is appreciative of area Rotary clubs’ efforts.

“When we see a need in the community, it is often the Rotary clubs that step up to meet those needs,” Weaver said.

Seitz said the Peanut Butter Challenge will be an annual event. This year’s challenge will take place in August, as food banks are preparing for the school year. The Kenai club has trophies up for grabs, one for clubs in Alaska and one for participating clubs from around the world.

Rotary’s statewide peanut butter challenge is only one of several major food security initiatives undertaken by Alaska Rotary clubs over the past 12 months in response to suddenly increased community needs across Alaska. It’s an innovative response to Covid-related social restrictions, one that works well in a virtual environment.

Participating Alaska Rotary Clubs include Anchorage East, Anchorage South, Anchorage Gateway, Kenai, Soldotna, Kenai River-Soldotna, Sitka, Barrow Nuvuk and the District-wide eClub whose members across the US and Europe meeting virtually every two weeks.

Rotary District 5010 is honoring Kenai Rotary Club President Scott Seitz for his innovative and successful efforts by awarding him a Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship, named after Rotary’s 1905 Founder.

About Alaska’s Rotary District 5010:

Rotary District 5010 covers the entire State of Alaska, with more than 1,500 members and 37 clubs.

Rotary District 5010 and its 37 local clubs seek to help all Alaskans statewide through both traditional local club projects such as building parks, programs in schools, and scholarships and also through District-wide programs that develop and implement high-impact, highly cost-effective projects such as “Rotary Cares for Kids”, Fatal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder education, and emergency safe water and advanced economic development programs for rural Alaska villages,

From Utqiagvik to Ketchikan and Nome to Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, our 37 clubs join with the other 1.2 million members of Rotary International around the world who believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues in our communities and across the globe.

Rotary members work together to: