Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna.

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna.

Food Bank aims to collect 1 ton of goods

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is preparing for its Progress Days donation drive Thursday. Volunteers are aiming to raise 1 ton of food in one day.

“That’s our big goal,” said Randi Smith, who works in donor development at the food bank. “The Soldotna Chamber invited us to be a part of the Progress Days celebration through this and we’re just really honored to be asked.”

This is the food bank’s first year of involvement with the Progress Days celebrations, which is a four-day festival commemorating Soldotna’s population boom after settlers discovered oil north of Sterling at Swanson River.

People are encouraged to bring nonperishable items to donate to the food bank. Or, if they’d rather donate financially, Smith said they’re equating $1 to 1 pound.

Volunteers will have trucks for donations as the food bank attempts to gain a literal ton of food.

“We’re going to have a huge presence,” Smith said. “We really want to raise a ton of food in one day, that would really be awesome. Just come out and show your support.”

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank only just reopened indoor dining to 50% capacity last month, after a forced shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since it’s been closed, Smith said the layout of the building has been changed and renovated.

“We always want to give a shoutout to our community, because we wouldn’t be here without the community support,” Smith said.

In late August, the food bank is preparing for its annual soup supper fundraiser event. Smith said volunteers couldn’t host the event last year because of the pandemic.

“We’re going to be excited to get that going again too,” she said.

The food bank park event will be at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Progress Days entertainment includes performances by the Diamond Dance Project and Hobo Jim, as well as an educational seminar by a presenter from NASA.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Most Read