Comments on: Voices from the Flats – News from Nunam Iqua

By: nekolibrarian

nekolibrarian — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:28:31 +0000

I went to Ann’s blog and got connected with a group of women who have teamed up to help a family. That way, I can do something to help, even though my own family is struggling right now. I figure we all need to help each other the best we can. I also drop dollars into the Salvation Army kettles whenever I pass one, to help people in my location. I’m a Lutheran pastor’s wife, I know many others on this blog forum aren’t into the church scene, and I don’t care, I think you’re all great and I’m learning a lot from y’all. Working to help a Nunam Iqua family is my Christmas present to myself.

By: Alaska Pi

Alaska Pi — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:50:33 +0000

@39 bluebanshee-
that’s a great idea!
Ann is encouraging people, when they email her, to band together to adopt families. We, almost none of us, can afford to take on all needs folks may have.
I adopted a family last year but cannot do so, by myself, this year. I will have to scale back to when-I-can help this year as so many others must.
Thank you to those who are doing what they can in their own backyard in these times of need all across America .
And thank you to those who can help Nunam neighbors.
We’re all in this together- wherever we are and whoever we can help…

By: bluebanshee

bluebanshee — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:54:19 +0000

Sandra in Oregon @ 37:
There is an Oregon Mudstock coming up on 12/5 in Salem. Perhaps we could do a little”community organizing” at that event for the benefit of Nunam Iqua.

By: GreatGranny2C

GreatGranny2C — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:52:22 +0000

Pearl89 and BlueInKS – The idea of writing to major companies is a super one and it can be successful! While we were stationed in Germany in the 1980s, I was the financial assistance coordinator (yes, many young soldiers and families were at or below poverty level) for our region, and several of our volunteers took on a major letter-writing campaign that was highly successful.

We received hundreds of cases of disposable diapers, formula, and baby food. There were minimum requirements to be met before the items were distributed, but no one went without these basics. Despite lower prices at military stores, some of the young kids simply couldn’t stretch their money far enough.

Possibly Ann could find one or two people in the village who could accept the shipments and then distribute as needed. I feel very confident that you will have success in getting items. I know money has been tight and people aren’t giving as freely as in better economic times, but major companies are making profits, they can always use tax write-offs, but most importantly – there are more compassionate folks around than we sometimes realize, but until asked they don’t realize the needs that exist.

Thank you so much to everyone who is responding positively to help in whatever way each can!

By: sandra in oregon

sandra in oregon — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:25:30 +0000

I would love to help again this year. I rose to the challenge of making dollars and flat rate packages count. I don’t think I can take on an entire family. We bloggers are physically isolated from each other.

Ann did such a bang up job last year with the distribution. Isn’t there someone else in the village who can handle it?

If I can’t figure out a way to contribute I will continue donations to local food relief projects. (I was really surprised to see how much assistance is needed in Oregon.)

We all need to help where we can. I am hoping for a way to help the villagers.

By: mlaiuppa

mlaiuppa — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:51:57 +0000

I’m with KateinCanada.

I’m a single teacher and don’t have enough discretionary income to support a family. But I could pair up with some others in a small group.

Anyone interested in making a California contingent? Maybe we can rotate sending packages or something.

By: sauerkraut

sauerkraut — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:34:38 +0000

16 lovemydogs Says: November 27th, 2009 at 9:00 AM

Many people who go off on “the welfare state”, etc for those in the bush are happily tithing away at church for missionaries to go to other parts of the world and help. Just put those same ideals into helping some of our people at home.
—————

You’ve touched on a very important point, lmd. Why do the same people who complain about “welfare queens” and who never shut up about American foreign aid spend so little time helping the destitute family down the street? Charity begins at home and I am very happy this year to participate in 3 separate “adopt a family for the holidays” programs in my local area. But why aren’t the church people participating?? Guess some people just need to go to church more often than others.

By: Nan (aka roswellborn)

Nan (aka roswellborn) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:08:42 +0000

Alaska Pi
Many thanks for the explanation, and “oversimplified” is exactly what I need!

Even so, the differing jurisdictions (is that the word?) between Federal and State lands/waterways adds complications I’d forgotten about.

The bycatch is a whole nuther topic! Needed goods thrown away for convenience’ sake, while so many go hungry. That’s just plain wrong!

I have to admit, the state seemed to do some better this year than last year, although there’s plenty of room for improvement still.

will do what I can, I just wish it could be lots more.
Nan

By: Alaska Pi

Alaska Pi — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:49:05 +0000

@32 the problem child-
There is STILL a dedicated account…
it is that Ann is not there to distribute…
We have to contact SPAN about individual accounts and whether that is possible.
One time donations can still go there as it is in the works to have at least one distribution done from there on the Nunam end…

By: the problem child

the problem child — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:37:56 +0000

Before anyone jumps on the SPAN AK program, it might be a good idea to make sure that they are doing the same thing as last year (dedicated account for donations). Remember, they were delivering pallets of goods for Ann to break up. And I think there was someone else willing to do distribution in another village.