Project Information: Partnering with area churches and groups to meet emergency needs of families Describe the need affecting community: Willow, AK has a higher than national average for unemployment. The cost of living is 13% above the national average with the cost of food is 31% above the national average. Limited jobs, money, food, and reliability transportation. The cost of taking garbage to the local dump has greatly increased and the borough is working to create local recycle efforts to reduce the amount of waste. But this must be done in such a way that we do not increase the number of illegal dumps in the area. How will this Advance project help to address the need?: As stated, we are the only pantry in the area. Some folks drive 50 miles round trip to reach us. By combining our efforts with other churches and groups we are providing a coordinated and consistent method to provide food to hungry folks. We are also part of the newly formed Mat Su Borough Food Coalition. We are working with the Willow UMC to create a community garden and with the Willow Garden Club to provide seeds and starter trays for folks to use in their gardens. We provide vouchers to the Food Pantry clients for them to purchase fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market. We have become the agency that partners with Willow Area Community Organization to create and manage the community recycling program.