Kids Kupboard

We have only one chance with our children. They will be kids only once and then they will be out the door, on their own, making their own way! So, while we have these little ones, let’s make the most of it. This is our window of opportunity! Kids Kupboard is making more than 140,000 fresh healthy meals available to thousands of our most vulnerable children each year at more than 23 safe community sites through the Mat-Su Valley. We are the largest outside school feeding program in Alaska. We deliver all of our meals directly into the hands of children. Healthy meals now will support them the rest of their lives. After all, what they learn and experience during their youth will be what they look for in their adult lives.

In 2024, we are starting a farm to grow the produce we need to feed our kids healthy, nutritious meals. Children will be invited to the farm to learn a wide range of skills from animal husbandry to growing and processing their own food. Imagine sharing the feeling of eating freshly picked veggies from your home garden! Not only will our kids be attending educational classes, but they will also be sharing in the joy of the farm to plate experience that will empower them with the skills and confidence to grow food on their own!

Childhood hunger is a problem that threatens our children and our future. The Mat-Su Health Foundation reported that as of 2021, 42% of our student population lives in poverty and relies on free and reduced lunch at school (often the only substantial meal many children have) for the majority of their nutritional support. With increasing economic challenges in 2023, we know this number is even higher! What happens to these kids when school is out? Without a solid nutritional foundation, we're in danger of losing an entire generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Kids Kupboard continues to close the hunger gap for thousands of at-risk children in the Mat-Su Valley. With increasing food costs, funding to purchase the fresh, healthy ingredients that go into our daily meals is a great need. The development and implementation of our community growing projects will increase the quality, quantity, and availability of local foods yield as part of a long-term food resiliency answer to food insecurity. However, until our farm is up and running, we will continue to purchase produce and other food needed to feed our children. It costs us $6 per meal, and your donations will make a huge difference in our ability to serve even more hungry children!