DCED location of Emmonak Alaska
This is just a brief note for those looking for information about the immediate heat and food problems originally reported in the Alaska Newspapers Emmonak man seeks food airlift to combat economic crisis.
[Mr Nicholas Tucker did a great job of detailing the issues in his letter to the newspaper, another example of grassroots science in action.]
The problems are discussed at Alaska Public Radio Extreme cold forcing Emmonak residents to choose fuel over food, at Alaska Real Another village in trouble and Another Alaskan village in trouble – follow-up, and at Alaska Mudflats among other places, Hope Coming to Emmonak and Beyond?.
All have information on how blog readers can help (see the comments at each site). Celtic Diva has the latest links to where the story is discussed, AK Village of Emmonak in dire need–**UPDATE WITH AUDIO** She reminds me of the earlier, 11 December 2008, story by Ted Land posted at KTUU about Martin Moore’s effort to get help from the state. Fuel shortage, cost have village seeking state assistance
Martin Moore has been coming to a borrowed Anchorage office for the past few months, making phone calls, writing letters, and setting up meetings with state officials advocating help with his village’s high fuel costs.
As mentioned in the comments at Mudflats, there are several communities in the Wade Hampton census area also in dire straits. There was a community meeting yesterday that included these other Villages, too. I hope to have more specifics later.
In the meantime, use the site search tags below for background information.
- Poorest places in the United States – Wikipedia
- Village search tags
- Alaska Community Database, click on the Alaska flag in the sidebar to find specific community information
- Sarah Palin, the elderly, the disabled, older Americans and rural Alaska
- Displaced person in Palin’s Alaska
map of Wade Hampton Census Area
Site Search Tags: Emmonak, Wade+Hampton
Grassroots Science 
http://thetundradrums.com/news/story/4596
Alaska Newspapers is a Calista Corp. business.
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Thank you so much for all your help Pam! It means alot. To all whom has donated the food thanks and to the people who has organized this need. Layla and Tony, thanks for your hard work and efforts.
Dora
Emmonak
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Is there a charity group that those of us too far away to send real food can donate?
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Unfortunately, there really isn’t a region-wide organization with logistical ability. The regional non-profit has not been on top of anything (this is not a new problem.) The state’s emergency response programs are not even set up for epidemics or annual flooding, much less chronic, systems issues.
You are certainly correct in inquiring about alternatives. Whether in this country or elsewhere, the logistics of delivery and storage and distribution of donated supplies is a critical impediment and even a hazard in crisis situations. For example, the hub village of Bethel (population about 5300 and about 150 air miles away, Where is… nearest hospital (as one flies), has no emergency shelter at all and no place to store quantities of foodstuffs or fuel.
Samaritan’s Purse http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ is a charity with an established relationship with some of the Wade Hampton Villages. (Disasters come in all forms)
Food Bank– the Food Bank of Alaska provides the basis for rural food banks (often only held monthly).
“FOOD BANK OF ALASKA
2121 Spar Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 272-3663 Main
(907) 222-3119 Service/Intake – Food Stamp Outreach Program
(907) 277-7368 Fax
email: info@foodbankofalaska.org
web: http://www.foodbankofalaska.org
FOOD ASSISTANCE
SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Food Bank of Alaska provides food and household products to partner non-profit agencies. Working with partnering organizations, we provide information and referral for food assistance pantries and meal centers throughout the state of Alaska.”
http://www.alaska211.org/
Another possibility might be the Catholic Social Services. The Catholic Church is the local church for some of the middle Yukon Villages in the Census Area. Some of these Villages, such as the GASH region (includes villages of Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, and Holy Cross), are always hurting (an interesting note here, http://akbrownie.blogspot.com/2008/06/g-s-h-travels.html).
There is a Boys & Girls Club in Emmonak (Dora Moore works there). I’m not sure about the other Villages.
I’ll see what else I can find and let everyone know.
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hello dora…. i hope your life has been good… i should think paul is gone and hope he had a good run … i have pictures of willie and catherine….. i would love for you to have them before i or you die…… peter… roxanne… maynard… minnie…. maha…. gary…. it was the best time ….. begumavik…. black measles…. biluktuk..(beaver).. utkok.(duck).. i never saw them spelt….simeons grave…. with phylis
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i live on the other side of the world……. on the indian ocean….. but i remember simeons photograph on top of the tv,,, i remember the morning coffee and the plans for the day… and the long and amazing times of pure silence….me…. !… i was not comfortable with silence…. but your family let it just happen as it should…. dora… i remember so much…… all of it good… i remember and have a great picture of peter and his boat…
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I am unsure of what you are talking about but I do know of the people that you mention. I don’t think you know that I am like the 4th Dora in the family. Peter is my uncle and Martin is my dad. I grew up in different parts of Alaska and completed my high school in southeast Alaska and just moved back to Emmonak in 2003.
I am sorry to hear about the silence incident and don’t know what to say but, “I am sorry about it and that it made you feel uncomfortable.”
I am happy to hear that you have good memories. Hope all is well Mark! Dora Christine Moore
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