Wasilla, Alaska – The Mat-Su Health Foundation has locally distributed $250,000 in rapid-turnaround emergency response grants to address food insecurity resulting from the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, processing delays due to application backlogs, and the economic impact on employees who have been furloughed or laid off during the current government shutdown. This funding will strengthen the community’s food security network by supporting six key partner organizations that provide direct food and healthcare assistance to residents most affected by SNAP processing delays:

1. Blood n Fire Ministries
2. Frontline Mission
3. Mat-Su Food Bank
4. Mat-Su Health Services
5. Palmer Food Bank
6. Sunshine Community Health Center

“Mat-Su Health Foundation has focused on increasing food security in the Mat-Su since 2019,” said Vandana Ingle, Chief Community Impact Officer at the Foundation. “At that time, we recognized there was an increase in food-related grant requests, and food security emerged as a significant priority for us. Now, meeting this moment alongside local organizations that provide basic needs support truly exemplifies our mission for better health.”

Food insecurity remains a growing concern in the Mat-Su region. As of September 2025, the Mat-Su Census Area has 8,371 SNAP recipients. The most current data available (as of August 2025) for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program indicates 1,318 WIC households in the Mat-Su Area. Individuals awaiting processing for SNAP or WIC applications are excluded from these counts, as applicant location data is not recorded until processing is complete.

“Frontline Mission is extremely thankful for the Foundation’s funding support during this critical time,” said Matthew Sheets, Executive Director of Frontline Mission. “These funds will allow us to provide additional support to individuals and families, as we have seen a significant increase in community members utilizing our services. We can purchase more food for our hot meal program, enhance our food distribution center, which provides supplemental groceries, support our Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas food boxes for the upcoming holidays, and help feed children over the weekends and holiday breaks from school.”

Additionally, the Foundation is working to increase awareness of its program, Connect Mat-Su, an information and referral hub that easily connects residents to local assistance. Community members can work with Connect Mat-Su staff to identify their current needs and find providers, services, and supports ranging from food, housing, heating, and employment to medical, childcare, and elder care. Connect Mat-Su is free to use, and can be reached by phone at (907) 373-2628, in person at 777 N Crusey St. in Wasilla, and online at connectmasu.org.

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About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su, and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org.