Matson takes a bit out of hunger in Alaska

“Hunger is a reality for one in seven Alaskans,” says the Fook Bank of Alaska, but Matson Alaska is taking a big bite out of this alarming statistic.

"Over the past year alone, Matson has transported more than 1.4 million pounds of food, supported our 20th annual Thanksgiving Blessing, and very especially, enabled the Food Bank of Alaska to purchase and distribute food through a $1.5 million state grant to assist Alaskans in need. The support of this grant alone meant that over 1 million pounds of food were shipped to Alaska from the Lower 48 and ultimately reaching Alaskans in need,” said Cara Durr, Food Bank of Alaska’s CEO.

“Matson’s in - kind contribut ions, financial support, and volunteer efforts are vital to our mission in the fight against hunger — and for that, we are deeply grateful,” she said.

Vic Angoco, Matson Senior Vice President, Alaska, explained that “Matson has a long - standing commitment t o support the communities we serve. Matson’s cash donations and in - kind shipments for the Food Bank of Alaska help them further their mission to reduce food insecurity across Alaska.”

As part of its pandemic response plan, Matson made a $10 million commit ment to support food bank networks in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam through 2026. Before that commitment, Matson Alaska contributed $75,000 to the Food Bank’s capital drive for a new warehouse.

Matson employees also volunteer at the Food Bank of Alaska, including the Thanksgiving Blessing, which served a holiday dinner to 10,093 Alaska families last year. Claudia Russell, Matson Director of Finance, Alaska, also serves as treasurer on the Food Bank board.

"Alaska’s vast size and unique geography demand careful coordination, robust infrastructure, and strong, reliable partnerships to overcome the challenges of food distribution. Matson’s generous shipping support has been instrumental in helping us navigate some of the most uncertain times of the past decade, in cluding the height of the pandemic and the economic hardships that followed,” said Durr.