Neighborhood food drive in Eagle River benefits those in need during coronavirus shutdown

Under a cloudy sky Wednesday, residents of a quiet subdivision behind Eagle River High School collected nonperishable goods left by neighbors on front porches amid the coronavirus shutdown.

“Our neighborhood came together," said Pheng Scott, a retired Air Force veteran and self-described empty-nester of four children. “How can we help in the community? There are people making masks and shields for providers and doing a lot of different things -- so we thought as a neighborhood we could collect food because we heard the food at the pantry was going fast because of the situation that’s going on.”

The food drive will help stock the shelves in the Chugiak-Eagle River Food Pantry in Eagle River Presbyterian Church. The food will be distributed by appointment to the increasing number of people in need during the pandemic.