Juneau Food Banks Face Record Demand for Thanksgiving Baskets Amid Rising Grocery Costs
Juneau food assistance organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul and the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, are experiencing unprecedented demand for Thanksgiving food baskets and general food assistance. Last year, St. Vincent de Paul set a record by providing over 540 households with Thanksgiving baskets, and requests are continuing to climb this year. The Southeast Alaska Food Bank serves approximately 500 people weekly at its public pantry, a figure that has doubled since 2024, according to Executive Director Dan Parks. This increased demand is attributed to rising grocery costs, which are straining family budgets and leading new households to seek assistance. Organizations are gearing up for the holiday season, collecting traditional Thanksgiving staples like turkeys, canned vegetables, and stuffing, and recruiting volunteers for distribution.
