Making a Difference

Fairbanks, AK – On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Kinross Fort Knox Mine, Northern Star Resources Limited, and

Usibelli Coal Mine collectively donated $21,000 to support an emergency funding request received from the

North Star Council on Aging for the Fairbanks Senior Center.

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The Fairbanks Senior Center has been providing home-delivered meals to seniors at-risk for hunger and

isolation since 1973 through programs such as Meals on Wheels. In preparation for the arrival of Coronavirus

Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or coronavirus, in Alaska, the senior center is preparing 400 senior-friendly

emergency boxes. Darlene Supplee, executive director of the Fairbanks Senior Center and North Star Council

on Aging, said, “these boxes will have easy-open flip-tops and will feature balanced meals to many of our

community’s seniors for 14-days.”

The senior center expects that more than $25,000 in funding will be needed to assist the area’s at-risk aging

population. However, the funds from Kinross, Northern Star Resources, and Usibelli will significantly help them

get started.

“The Fairbanks Senior Center is ecstatic to receive such a generous offer from the Interior mining

community. Their consistent support of our senior population truly touches us,” Supplee stated.

In addition to the support from the Interior mining companies, the Fairbanks Senior Center also received a

$2,000 private donation. “We hope that a collective financial gift on behalf of the area's operating mines will

prompt others to consider a donation themselves, no matter the size,” said Anna Atchison, external affairs

manager for Kinross Fort Knox Mine. According to the senior center, the cost of a two-week box averages

sixty-five dollars, just five dollars a meal. “The generosity of these mines are the reason we can provide senior-

friendly, shelf-stable food boxes at this critical juncture as we prepare for the weeks ahead,” said Supplee.

The mining industry has a long history of supporting the many non-profit agencies in Alaska that provide

services to those most vulnerable and in need in our community. “It was an easy decision to support the

request,” said Lisa Herbert, vice president of public relations for Usibelli Coal Mine. “We applaud the senior

center for being proactive as the state and borough try to determine how much, and in what specific ways, the

COVID-19 pandemic will impact us.” Pogo mine’s, external affairs manager, Wendie MacNaughton added,

“given our geographic location, it’s important to put a plan in place that will assist our community’s seniors.”

The Fairbanks Senior Center will be closing the building to all foot traffic starting Monday, March 16, to reduce

the possibility of the virus inside the building. They plan to hold a press conference Friday, March 13 at 10:00

a.m. Those that wish to donate to the Fairbanks Senior Center should do so by calling (907) 452-1735 or online at

https://fairbanksseniorcenter.org.

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