Founded in 1988, for 30 years the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank (KPFB), a nonprofit organization has partnered with the  community to meet a basic need for our  friends and neighbors...to  provide nourishing food. Our mission is simple, “We feed people because no one deserves to be hungry.” Our small staff and legion of volunteers carry out this mission without fail throughout    the year. KPFB serves the entire Kenai Peninsula, more than 15,700 square miles from Seward  to Kenai, Moose Pass to Tyonek with a far flung and diverse population of 58,506. In 2017, through our partnerships with other nonprofit agencies, community members, industry leaders, business professionals and families we continue to focus on that mission, providing food to more than 20% of the population. The need for services has  increased  dramatically  in proportion to the growing fiscal concerns of our state and we continue to advocate to  eliminate  hunger, provide hunger relief to those without, and distribute resources across the Kenai Peninsula to populations without easy access to affordable food. At KPFB, we believe that feeding people is but a step toward active citizenship. After all, it is difficult to concentrate with an empty stomach which is why we promote a supportive environment and referral resources in addition to a hot meal. Our dedicated staff and volunteers facilitate these processes while maintaining the dignity  of our clients and providing hope.

"We feed people, because no one deserves to be hungry"

KPFB’s mission is to feed people, promote public awareness of hunger issues and advocate to end hunger. KPFB is dedicated to addressing hunger on the Kenai Peninsula by distributing food directly to people and indirectly through our partner agencies. Education and advocacy is an ongoing priority and the Food Bank is constantly seeking opportunities and the support of generous community partners to provide expanded, sustaining skills for individuals and families throughout the Peninsula community.

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank saw an increased demand in services during FY 17. We are proud to report that thanks to your generous donations, KPFB rose to this challenge. We distributed a record 1.26 million pounds– or more 815,000 meals using the US Department of Agriculture’s average meal estimate of 1.2 pounds to families and partner agencies across the Kenai Peninsula. Of those meals, 20,457 meals (an average of 1,705  meals per month) were served in the Fireweed Diner an on-site Soup Kitchen, 408,710 were distributed through the emergency food boxes and federal commodity programs. The remaining 252,880 meals were distributed through our member agencies. 

The 1.2 million pounds of food KPFB distributes is largely received from local grocery stores: Fred Meyer, Walmart and Safeway providing the majority at 756,744 pounds in 2017. The USDA Commodities received bring 258,3374 pounds followed closely by Businesses/Organizations/Groups who donated 142,567 pounds. The remaining food is received from Food Dirves and Individuals, Food Bank of Alaska and purchased food. 

KPFB’s Board and leadership continue to plan strategically to meet the needs of ourcommunity.  We do this through a unique structure of programs: Direct Service, USDA Commodities (TEFAP, CSFP), Agency Partners, Fireweed Diner, Famers' Fresh Market, Mobile Food Pantry, and the Hoop House Garden. The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank (KPFB) is unique among the Feeding America Food Banks as we conduct our areas of service from within one facility. Direct Service is where any member of the community may come in and receive one box of food a month, per household. This is reclaimed food, donated from local grocery stores, businesses and individuals. The USDA Commodities (TEFAP, CSFP)are The Emergency Food Assistance Pro- gram and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program are federal commodity programs that require federal income guidelines and in some cases age requirements. KPFB has 70 partnering agencies who acquire nourishing food for their food pantries, programs for kids, elderly and other vulnerable populations. Our soup kitchen is onsite, prepares daily fresh hot meals Monday- Friday from 11:30-2:30pm free to the public. All food is prepared using donations from our local grocery stores and produce fresh from our hoop house garden (seasonal). The Farmers' Fresh Market is a weekly market with area farmers providing locally grown, affordable produce from farm to table. The Mobile Food Pantry delivers highly perishable food to specific Central Peninsula locations as inventory allows. Each delivery extends our reach to individuals who would otherwise not receive food. Finally, the Hoop House Garden is an opportunity to educate clients, volunteers, student groups and the public about food production, cultivation and the joy of working with your hands.

Board Members