GCI supports small businesses, food security in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – GCI, Alaska’s largest telecommunications company, is working to support small businesses, food security, and rural entrepreneurship with a $5,000 contribution to Bethel Community Services Foundation’s (BCSF) Food Security Collaboration and Best in the West programs.
BCSF is dedicated to supporting effective community growth and development across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Through its Best in the West competition, new or aspiring small business owners have a chance to win small cash grants. BCSF’s Bethel Food Security Collaboration is a new initiative to address the need for increased food security in the community because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has accentuated the need throughout Alaska’s rural communities for an increased focus on food security and economic opportunity,” said GCI Senior Manager of Rural Affairs Jenifer Nelson. “With dozens of employees in Bethel and the surrounding 56 communities, GCI is deeply connected to the YK Delta and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support programs for the Alaskans who call the region home.”
Since 2009, 83 small businesses have received grants, generally ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, through BCSF’s Best in the West program. The competition is open to all YK Delta residents who are over the age of 18 and have not won a Best in the West award in the previous year.
With grant funding from companies like GCI, the Bethel Food Security Collaboration program will be able to fund its first dedicated Bethel Food Bank staff member who will help the organization with planning and food distribution.
“These two programs are key to BCSF’s efforts to support YK Delta residents and give them the resources they need to remain physically and economically healthy,” said BCSF Executive Director Michelle DeWitt. “Thank you, GCI, for your longstanding support for BCSF and your commitment to the residents of the YK Delta.”
GCI is one of Alaska’s leaders in corporate philanthropy, donating approximately $2 million each year in cash, products, and connectivity to organizations across the state. GCI is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and provides employees with 16 hours of paid leave to volunteer with local organizations. In 2020, more than 320 GCI employees volunteered over 2,900 hours with local non-profit organizations across the state.
For more information about the GCI Gives program, visit http://www.gci.com/why-gci/gcigives.
About GCI
Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, video, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested more than $3 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 40 years and recently launched true standards-based 5G NR service in Anchorage, now the nation’s northernmost 5G service area. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband Corporation (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP). Learn more about Liberty Broadband at http://www.libertybroadband.com.