Each year since the early 2000s, Anchorage Quakers have gathered for a Christmas party and during the gathering, made around 50 gift bags for the residents of Karluk Manor, a housing program for people who are chronically homeless, vulnerable individuals who have a very high level of need.
In 2024, RurAL CAP, who runs Karluk Manor, asked us to expand our reach by creating 105 gift bags, adding the residents of Sitka Place. Given the Quakers small size, we turned to our fellow churches in JOIN (Justice Organizing Interfaith Network) to ask if other congregations would like to combine efforts to meet this additional need. We were grateful to partner with First Covenant Church, Mountain View Hope Church, and Catholic Alaska Native Ministry for this purpose. Our gathering was held at First Covenant where we had a potluck, filled our bags with donated items like food, gloves, hats and other treats, and the children created holiday cards of well wishes for each bag.
People from 3 congregations, (Quakers, First Covenant, Mtn View Church of Hope) filled 105 gift bags for Karluk Manor & Sitka Place residents. Dec 21, 2024.
A group of carolers cheered on the kids/adults that were card making, and those that were filling the bags with gifts & treats and the handmade Xmas cards.
Catholic Native Ministry donated 100 pairs of gloves and 50 stocking caps for the bags. The gift bags overflowed!
A good portion of our small Quaker meeting gathered a few days before Christmas 2023 to fill gift bags for Karluk Manor residents.
We often host gatherings exploring Quaker values like "Quakers and Waffles" on Saturday mornings, on average once a month. Use the contact us form above if you're interested in getting connected on these opportunities.