Samaritan's Purse teams up with the Salvation Army and an Alaskan Food Bank to make sure families in an isolated village can celebrate Thanksgiving
Dozens of families in a remote Yup’ik village in western Alaska were faced with the bleakest of Thanksgiving holidays.
Earlier this month the people of Tuluksak went without power for over a week because of a power failure at the local electric utility. Since it’s been unseasonably warm, they couldn’t revert to “outside freezing” to preserve their food during the long power outage.
By the time the state flew in an emergency generator, many residents had lost the salmon, moose, and groceries stored in their freezers—food that was stored to last through the winter.
Out of the 90 families that live in the village, 62 reported a loss of food, totaling 11,000 pounds.
The Alaska division of the Salvation Army, the Food Bank of Alaska, and Samaritan’s Purse learned of their plight and teamed up to help.
“This is truly a good way to help give thanks,” said Luther Harrison, Vice President of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse.
On Wednesday, Samaritan’s Purse flew out almost 600 pounds worth of turkeys to Tuluksak.“This flight is pretty special,” said Mike Barlow, a Samaritan’s Purse pilot. “It’s a way we can use the resources that God has given us to do ministry here in Alaska.”
The Samaritan’s Purse airplane was the only way to get the turkeys to the families in time for Thanksgiving.
“It’s a long way out there,” Barlow said. “There’s no road system. The only way you can get there is by airplane. It’s just a way for us to let them know that they are not forgotten. They are not alone out there; there are people who care about them. It’s a privilege to be able to do this and share the love of Christ with them.”
The flight, and the partnership between the three organizations, will allow families in Tuluksak to a great Thanksgiving celebration.
“We think this is a wonderful,” said Jenni Ragland of Salvation Army Alaska. “I call it a Thanksgiving miracle. All the things fell into place. The food bank had extra turkeys that we could get from them. And Samaritan’s Purse came through and offered to interrupt their own holiday for the folks that are flying the turkeys up.
“I’ve heard for many years about the great work of Samaritan’s Purse. I’m really thankful that folks are willing and available. Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving and I’m sure there’s lots of things they could be doing. But they are willing to be servants and would make it possible.”