Life in the Village.... (Emmonak, Cold Bay: 2009, house, salary)

[Alaskapat528]

Interesting read from the ADN regarding life in an Alaskan Village.

Alaska Newsreader: Alaska Newsreader | adn.com

[watcher66]

Awesome article, really makes you understand that most of us have ZERO to complain about!

[mal_flisk]

I spent a month in Nelson Lagoon a few years ago. There is no store. I carried most of my food in two coolers. I ran out of sugar (coffee pollutant), sodas (afternoon caffeine pick-me-up), potatoes (carbs for filler) and pancake mix. Yep, desperation set in and I called the store in Cold Bay (20 minute or so flight away) and ordered my groceries. I spent $60 at the store, and $35 for the plane to fly it in with the rest of the mail and other stuff that other people had ordered. The plane was required because there the little bumps on Google Earth that turn out to be mountains and there was definitely a lack of paved, or unpaved for that matter, roads.

I hoarded my sodas and rationed them to 1-2 a day for the remainder of my stay. At $14 for a 12-pack plus airfare, I have not had more expensive sodas in my life. Not even in swank bars that I couldn't afford when I was in them. Not my normal hangouts you know. Friends in low places more my speed. Everyday costs of living in a bush community are beyond even my current salary. I don't know that I could put up with the inconvenience either. But I still make it a point to spend at least $100 in every community I visit where I can, because some of that money will float around there and possibly filter out to others in the community.

[stiffnecked]

I sent an email off to Anna Strongheart, nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com and asked her to send me the name of a family in the village that could use help. She replied and sent me a list of food items that they could use along with there name and PO Box.

Cool. So off I went to WalMart and Carrs. Bought more than I planned on. I figured out that it's cheapest to send stuff in the FLAT RATE boxes from the post office.

The Mudflats » Shopping Day in Nunam Iqua, Alaska.

[blueflames50]

would you be so kind as to post the list of grocery items that they could use?? If we all sent one package of something someone could use it possibly could amount to quite a bit of food. I'm up for sending a couple of pkgs. thanks

[stiffnecked]

I'll put the email she sent me below. I also went off of the grocery list that was in the Mudflats blog on the Nunam Iqua shopping trip. That one had the prices they paid at the village store. The only thing I couldn't send was toliet paper. I'm still trying to figure out how to fit that in the flat rate boxes.

Scott,

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for wanting to help!!! Here is the information you requested. If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact me. Quyana Cekneq (Yupik for: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!)


Family: # in House Needs:

Donna O'Malley P.O. Box 147sugar, rice, noodles, crackers, peanut butter, tea, toilet paper, general pantry suppliesNunam Iqua, AK 99666(1 elder, 2 adults, 4 children)

Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666

This is the price list from the village store in Emmonak from the Mudflats blog. It kind of gives you an idea.

The Mudflats » Shopping Day in Nunam Iqua, Alaska.

We went into the store and bought our groceries. Here is a list of what we bought:

$ 8.99 —- 2 lbs Raisins
$ 3.10 —- 2 boxes of Jiffy Blue berry Muffin mix
$ 6.99 —- 1 bag generic cheerios
$10.25 —- 3lb Coffee creamer
$ 4.72 —- 8 packages unsweetened Koolaid
$17.34 —- 6 cans of fruit cocktail
$10.76 —- 4 cans vegetables (2 peas 2 beans)
$13.35 —- 1 large jar of Mayo
$ 6.45 —- 1 one pound box spaghetti noodles
$10.35 —- 5 lbs white rice
$13.40 —- 4 boxes of rice-a-roni
$ 4.49 —- 1 can spaghetti sauce
$ 5.00 —- 4 small cans chili
$ 8.95 —- 12 cup a noodles
$11.98 —- 2 loaves generic bread
$ 9.95 —- 6 rolls of Toilet paper
$12.90 —- 2 - 2lb boxes of pilot bread
$ 6.99 —- 5 lbs fresh potatoes
$ 5.99 —- 18 eggs
$ 3.81 —- 1 quart cottage cheese
$ 7.99 —- 1 pkg string cheese
$ 6.38 —- 2 pkg blue bonnet margarine
$ 3.99 —- 1 pkg frozen stir fry veggies
$ 9.15 —- 1 dozen frozen corn on the cob
$ 7.41 —- 1 pkg oven roasted turkey (for sandwiches)
$ 6.19 —- 1 pkg sliced ham (for sandwiches)
$14.78 —- 2 pkg Kielbasa Sausage
$11.42 —- 2 lbs ground beef
$22.36 —- 5 pork chops
$16.38 —- 2 pkgs Johnsonville Italian Sausage
$19.58 —- 2 pkgs Tyson IQF frozen drumsticks
$ 9.79 —- 1 pkg Tyson IQF chicken thighs
$ 6.49 —- 6 rolls generic paper towels
$82.55 —- 1 case size 6 Huggies diapers (144 diapers)

Total including tax
$409.26

[blueflames50]

thanks...I emailed Anna Strongheart for a family name that I can send to. The address for her disappeared from your post??!!! thanks for posting that again!! In midst of a snowstorm so as soon as that passes I'll be out shopping!!

[stiffnecked]

I just hope they like what I picked. I tried to put myself in there place and shopped like that. I'll figure out the TP issue next. You just shouldn't have to pay $ 9.95 —- 6 rolls of Toilet paper.

[warptman]

My dad is from Nunam Iqua.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

I just hope they like what I picked. I tried to put myself in there place and shopped like that. I'll figure out the TP issue next. You just shouldn't have to pay $ 9.95 —- 6 rolls of Toilet paper.

Maybe Kleenex instead of TP, take out of box-put in plastic baggie so more packable And thanks for posting this info!!