About Turnagain Community Services

Our History

Turnagain Community Services is a Girdwood based non-profit under the fiscal sponsorship of the Girdwood Chapel. We have an independent board of directors, separate financial accounts, and separate online fundraising presence. Community support programs provided include Girdwood Food Pantry, Girdwood Community Garden, and Neighbor-to-Neighbor Emergency Assistance. All projects and services are housed within Girdwood Chapel building.

Our Turnagain Community Services Board

Turagain Community Services Board of Directors represent the different resources available to the Turnagain community and work to keep those resources available through coordination, fundraising, and building a network of support. 

  • Alice Simmons

  • Betty Charnon

  • Terry Sherwood

  • Brooks Chandler

  • Catherine McDermott

  • Sherry Dugan

  • Pastor Hyunghee Kim (Ex-Officio)


Our Mission

The mission of Turnagain Community Services is to improve the well-being of our community by assisting with basic human needs, providing access to food, and resourcing neighbors to help neighbors in need.

What We’ve Achieved

  • Served an average of 225 clients each month through the Girdwood Food Pantry, a number that is up considerably from last year.

  • Responded to the Covid crisis locally by offering increased food supply to Turnagain locals, used our facility as a study hall for students needing on-line access during school hours, and rapidly responded to local needs.

  • Our Community Garden has every plot full, and offers a gathering place for neighbors who work to raise food together. In addition, through a grant from the Kenai Mountain-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area a greenhouse was recently added. 

  • Support access to local resources to those in need by interfacing with the Girdwood Health Clinic & Girdwood Fire Department.

  • Assisted 3 local families with children out of homelessness and into permanent, stable housing

  • Provided emergency rental support to 2 families, preventing eviction and displacement.

  • Arranged for dozens of rides to Anchorage for medical appointments.

  • Organized neighbor-to-neighbor assistance by shoveling snow from walkways, ice off steps, chores during difficult times, as well as meals and companionship.

  • Worked with landlords and tenants to evaluate needs and navigate resources available for housing stability.