Food and Energy Crisis in Rural Alaska

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[GrammasCabin]

That woman is so disgusting it makes my head hurt, my stomach turn and my heart ache.  These wonderful "true" Alaskans are the most gentle, honorable souls on the planet and deserve the utmost respect!  Her behavior has been an embarrassment to us all up here but this degrading attitude towards our Native people is unforgivable.

Let's see if I got this right.  All they have to do is abandon their children and elders, abandon their villiages and lifestyle, dump their leaders, move to Anchorage - perhaps find a job at Micky D's and they too can become white trash just like the first dud?

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of you awesome people from so far away who are sending help and love to the villiagers!  God bless you all! (lump in throat).

One more thing to keep in mind.  While nutrition is critical, imagine being cold, hungry and have nothing to do!   The women love to knit, sew and do beadwork.  If you have supplies that would keep them busy creating I know it would be so appreciated.  Don't forget thread, needles, zippers, sizzors etc.  For the men I'm thinking small woodworking tools like carving implements, small cans of varnish & paints, brushes, wood glue and even nails or screws?  You can put up to 20 pounds in a large USPS flat-rate box for $l4.95.  Books, crayons, colored paper etc. for the kids?

[Forty Watt]

One more thing to keep in mind.  While nutrition is critical, imagine being cold, hungry and have nothing to do!   The women love to knit, sew and do beadwork. 

Thanks for a great idea.  I'm afraid I wouldn't have thought of that without prompting.  I'll get a box of stuff together on Monday. 

[The Red Queen of Wales]

Let's see if I got this right.  All they have to do is abandon their children and elders, abandon their villiages and lifestyle, dump their leaders, move to Anchorage - perhaps find a job at Micky D's and they too can become white trash just like the first dud?

Wow.  I hope you don't mind, but you stated this so well that I posted it (with credit to you and a link to this thread) on city-data to refute the erronous assertion being made there concerning Palin's committment to "helping the people of the bush in the long haul".





http://www.city-data.com/forum/politics-other-controversies/586249-3-7-2009-sarah-palin-presidency.html

[joplin]

I love the idea of sending craft supplies to the villages!  A small correction to a post above:  the large flat rate USPS box can be shipped for $13.95 and there is no weight limit unless it is shipped internationally.  Thats been part of the fun for me - to see how heavy I can make the boxes by stuffing them with really heavy canned goods, big jars of peanut butter and bags of sugar, etc.  I'm happy when I can barely get them to the post office without help   Mailing boxes like this by weight would be prohibitive - the flat rate is such a bargain.

[GrammasCabin]

No problem, Queen, move my words wherever you like.  Glad you didn't think I was being too crass - but I calls 'em as I see's em.

Hmm, I wonder if that 20# limit was special for Wrangell?!  When I sent the first couple boxes one was stuffed pretty full, about an inch gap in the top flaps but all taped up good.  They charged me double because the flaps didn't touch!  Won't do that again.

[betzy]

Help!  After getting an order together on Amazon (what seemed like the best source for the powdered eggs and powdered milk among other things) they refused to send it.

The RED message stated no grocery or gourmet items could be mailed to AK, plus the first alert was they do not deliver to PO Boxes. 

The idea for using Amazon came much earlier in our help endeavors, from a mudflatter, and the list Victoria put out this week called for these things.  My thinking was I wanted to send the heavier items that were requested.  Also, on the Amazon site there were great dried products like powdered beef broth, tomatoes, spinach etc. that I thought would "perk" up soup makings.

Also, they had large containers of powdered milk, powdered eggs, and powdered cheese.  I thought I had struck a gold mine for opportunity to select products that would make the trip easily.

Suggestions - ideas, anyone?  I do not want to pay postage twice.  Other things I can buy here and mail in the flat rate boxes, but those on Amazon were suited to the list we have to work with from those "stars" handling everything coming in the mail to AK's distributing  at the other end, and are too big to fit in the flat rate box.  Besides that some of them ship free.

I'm open, and had been waiting for some info to highlight addresses of some other villages we could also help, so was really excited when I found all that good stuff on Amazon.  Frustrated, and stymied for now. 

[0whole1]

After getting an order together on Amazon (what seemed like the best source for the powdered eggs and powdered milk among other things) they refused to send it.

The RED message stated no grocery or gourmet items could be mailed to AK, plus the first alert was they do not deliver to PO Boxes. 

...

I do not want to pay postage twice. 

Are you ordering items on their site that are shipped by Amazon, or are shipped by 3rd parties that display their products on the Amazon site?  If the item is "Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping" then it's shipped by Amazon. 

I did a quick check on powdered eggs: "Powdered Whole Eggs - 2.25 Pound Can by Honeyville Farms" is shipped by Honeyville Farms, while "
Deb-El Whole Eggs, 8-Ounce Containers (Pack of 6) by Deb-El" is shipped by Amazon. Etc. 

If the items you chose *aren't* being shipped by Amazon, then switch to items that are and see if that helps. If the items *are* being shipped by Amazon, then you have 3 options I can think of:

1) try purchasing things item by item to see if there was a particular thing you could eliminate that was tripping the "produce" criteria -- for instance, perhaps they'll ship Slim Jims but not powdered milk.
2) Purchase enough to qualify for free shipping, and then ship the items to your self first. You'll then only have to pay for the shipping to Alaska,  However, the items you might want to purchase may be too big for flat rate boxes so...
3) Call Amazon and see if there's a person from a corporate charity department or something similar that you could talk to.  They may be able to waive the shipping restriction since it's a charitable cause.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions.html/   

[Lani]

Amazon ceased shipping food to Hawaii a couple of years ago.  Probably made the same rule about Alaska, as we seem to be postally punished in unison.  But the charity idea is a good one - you could give them some info and links on the food crisis in Alaska.  Perhaps contact amazon's public relations department as well.

[betzy]

@Owlhole1- Thanks for the support.  Tried all kinds of approaches again today - no luck.  Honeyville Farms ( on amazon site) will not ship to AK.  Tried US Emergency Supply - they cannot quote USPS postage to AK, and that is the only vendor they use for AK and Hawaii.  Unfortunately, they never state this on the sites until you have filled out an order and atttempt to pay.

Called Costco as could not get info online re: powdered milk.  Will get powdered milk there for good price.  Clerk said could not give out prices over the phone, but did when I explained what I was doing - beat Amazon price by >$10 per item.  I'll purchase and send from here.

Honeyville powdered eggs best price, but will have to mail it from here, BUT ony $4.99 postage for any amount of a sale if ordered on their website.  I will ship from here, and hope the container fits in the flat rate boxes. 

Both US Emergency Supply and Honeyville ask that you leave a message with your questions and they will contact you the day of the call or a day later.  I did so, and we shall see if I get a response.  Ordered stuff anyway, and will deal with it when it comes.

Put together an order of Barry Farm products on the Amazon site(tough maneuvering to search for the products, got kicked back again and again, saying I had ordered too much of different products when my top request on any single item was only 4) They advertise a lot of dried (dehydrated) veg and soup items I wanted to send.  Their postage charges were prohibitive so I cancelled that order after putting it all together, with much redo, hunting etc.  The weight of the dehydrated items was negligible BUT postage came to over 1/2 the price of the products. ???????

I will go to our REI store and look for some veg packages. 

Not sure if any of this is helpful to anyone else, but I wanted to add some healthy variety to the packages, and maybe my stonewalled adventures will save others some time.

We live on a mountain and do not make frequent trips to town, so buying via the internet is a big practice with us.  I am often the one in the parking lot at the post office preparing packages for mailing (grandchildren you know  ) and I often do the buying and take my "mobile office" containing wrapping equipment straight to the post office lot and make a "one stop shopping, mailing" trip.  It works for me.

I so hope everyone in AK is getting fed and warmed.  It is so difficult to believe there can be such deprivation in a country of ours - bailout or not!

AKM is such a POSITIVE  influence in our lives and gives us all such a wonderful inspirer as a model - and oh, to have others who are in high places who would show the gift of communication and energy AKM demonstrates DAILY!!!

[betzy]

Just heard from Honeyville and the dried egg cartons (2.25 pounds) are 7" high so I hope they will fit into the flat rate boxes by laying on their side and then all the "cracks" can be filled in with other items.

Honeyville's powdered eggs (2.25 pounds) are only 19.99 each and the Deb El (3 pounds) powdered eggs on Amazon are $64.  It pays to shop around.

Good luck to the rest of the package preparers. 

[Lani]

If anyone needs USPS priority boxes, you can order them free of charge from http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13354&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820

You can also print a prepaid shipping label there, tape to box, and just drop the box at the post office. https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

Or have the post office pick up the boxes at your house or office.   http://www.usps.com/pickup/welcome.htm?from=home_shipstartfinish&page=requestfreepickup

[GrammasCabin]

I live in rural Alaska too (not where the crisis is however) and order nearly all of my food supplies from a bulk, organic supplier in Oregon.  They ship free from California to Minnessota and many states in between.  They do have a high minimum ($550) for free shipping but I order only 2 or 3 times a year and tack friend's orders on as well so meeting the minimum has never been a problem.  They only ship free to the barge in Seattle and we split the additional $65 pallet fee the barge line charges to bring the product to Wrangell.
  I've been trying to stock up on items like powdered eggs and was SO glad I did because I had six packs stashed which I sent to the villages and I'll just keep tacking a couple packs onto each order I place.  This way all I have to decide is how many $13.95 boxes I can afford to send North 'cause the food's already in the pantry.
  You might want to check out their online catalog - perhaps their bulk prices would not only save you $ on your own pantry - you could then pre-package what you want to send the villiages when your order arrives.  I order ALL my dry goods from them in 25# and 50# bags and transfer it into air-tight food grade buckets for storing.
  I don't know what grocery prices are like down south but I save tons buying this way.  A whole pound of just about any herb or spice you can think of is LESS than those tasteless "dead" spices in grocery stores.  I keep them in the freezer so they stay fresh.  All their products are organic and chemical free, including powdered milk and eggs.  I've found that fewer trips to the grocery store also keeps me from buying "wants" instead of "needs" too!  If I want it, I have to make it!
  You might want to check out their online catalog.  I'm a strong believer that EVERYONE should have as much food stored at home as you can possibly afford.  In fact, I consider my pantry my savings account these days - and I always know I have something nutritious I can throw in a box and send up north without having to go shopping.
  Anytime I've had questions my emails are immediately answered and/or you get a REAL person if you call with questions.

   Here's their website:  http://www.azurestandard.com/index.php

[betzy]

@GrammasCabin - thanks for the info - they will, and are mailing me a catalogue, free.

FYI everyone reading this -The dried egg cartons will NOT fit in the flat rate boxes.  However, that Honeyville company made a very, very quick delivery to me (same $4.99 delivery in contiguous US, no matter how big the order!) and I will get things sent quickly.

Thanks for all the help.  It was much easier sending checks, but this seems more personal, and after reading everyone else's adventures into the mailing challenges I wanted to try it.

[old salt]

It appears that we have had many "new" mudflatters come by since the "other" volcano eruption last Friday.  Just wanted say ...HOWDY and also wanted to give all a heads up about the Villages in need.  For all who haven't yet read about the plight of the villages...Go to AKM's site...www.themudflats.net and on the right side you will see many links.  One of them is called ...anonymous bloggers.  If you click on that link it takes you to a whole different world than most of us live in.  Winter is still going on...I just looked at Alakanuk weather...It is 5 degrees F with blowing snow....The need for food is still there. 
Please do what you can!   THANKS

[Erin]

From John Moller (the Governor's new Rural Advisor):

http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/750681.html

It's been a challenging winter for rural Alaska villages. High fuel prices, reduced income from fishing, and a particularly cold winter have left many residents struggling to heat their homes and feed their families. But the state has taken action and work continues.

Through Gov. Palin's leadership and the Legislature's support, the motor fuel tax was suspended. Alaskans who qualified for the 2008 Permanent Fund dividend also received a $1,200 resource rebate to help with the high cost of energy. In the Lower Yukon River villages of Emmonak, Kotlik, Alakanuk and Nunam Iqua, this meant a total of more than $6.5 million in cash flowed to residents in the region just before winter set in.

There's a lot more about money rolling in to these areas, a job fair in Emmonak and other State programs that are in the works.  Perhaps someone living out there could comment here about how the programs mentioned have helped them personally?

[betzy]

Thanks to all of you for all your input on sending food packages.  I did receive the catalogue from GrammasCabin recommended company.  The people were great, courteous, informative, and the catalogues were of excellent quality.  They sent 3 nice pieces.  However, they only make a drop and then it is necessary to get things transported from a port.   

The employee said using UPS to further the packages to their destination would be prohibitively expensive.  At any rate, after much sourcing, searching, and follow up on mudflatters suggestions, it seemed the most reasonable to use the flat rate boxes and repackage contents to fit.  Again, I mention the Honeyville company as that $4.99 fee to get any amount of merchandise to me is unbeatable.  Our variety of foodstuffs were limited since I could not get all I wanted by having it shipped directly to Alaska.

I want to share with you folks that we have most probably, the BEST post office of anywhere in the US.  They take very, very good care of us, no matter our needs.

Thanks so much to fawnskin for the incredible sensitive letter which brought back vivid memories for many of us regarding the "tough times" we endured in our childhoods.  Most importantly, though, I went to Costco and purchased the corned beef, among other meat products, as well as stuffing all the corners with M&M's.  Two things I would not have thought of to send but for your great letter.

Our packages are sent as being from our grandchildren as I am using this as an opportunity to expose them to individuals who do not have all the indulgences, paid activities, competitive meets, transportation provisions for events etc. that they no doubt take for granted, unfortunately.  We must create awareness of those who are not so blessed.

For this site and all of you who maintain it, and AKM for the gift of it to us all, thanks every day when I tune in for a "lift."  It is for me, the gift that keeps on giving.

[the problem child]

FYI everyone reading this -The dried egg cartons will NOT fit in the flat rate boxes.  However, that Honeyville company made a very, very quick delivery to me (same $4.99 delivery in contiguous US, no matter how big the order!) and I will get things sent quickly.

Have you considered dividing the boxes into large ziplock bags? Label them with what they are, plus cooking instructions if necessary, and send a box of bags!

[betzy]

@the problem child - that's exactly what I did.  The eggs came in metal cans and I cut the labels off, made copies and inserted them in each ziplock bag that I filled with the powdered eggs.  I did the same thing with the powdered milk.  I double bagged all the ziplock items, and then put a garbage type large plastic bag in the box and set all the foodstuffs in ziplocks inside that.  Kind of a protection against any dampness in transit, hopefully.

Also, too, I did not put anything else in with the powdered, bagged products.  All the canned items went in other flat rate boxes.

I wondered at the possibility of sending Velveeta, but did not do it.  As I went through lists in my head, I discarded some ideas, like, "Oh, that would take fuel to make it." 

All the suggestions the mudflatters have made have been really helpful.

[akdennis]

Here's something just posted by Gryphen sure to turn your stomach.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/

I posted before that I know John Moeller personally and if one were looking for a "yes" man and sychophant he'd be your guy.  His suck up letter does not surprise me.  He has no idea about how to do this job.  Palin only picked him because he is a suck up.  I rest my case.