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Extreme cold forcing Emmonak residents to choose fuel over food

Residents of the Southwest Alaska village of Emmonak are running out of food as a trifecta of bad circumstances have forced them into choosing between high priced fuel or feeding themselves. A combination of a collapsed commercial fishery that left residents without summer income, an early fall freeze up that prevented a final fall barge fuel shipment and an unusual spell of extended cold has left residents in the Yupik village of 800 desperate.Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage

UPDATE 14 JAN 2009: Following several listener/reader questions we contacted our story sources to ask how listeners might be able to help. They suggested donors consider sending a check or box of dry goods to: Emmonak Tribal Council PO Box 126 Emmonak, AK 99581 To donate with credit card, call the City of Emmonak at 907-949-1227 To ask questions about the situation there, call Nick Tucker with the tribal council 907-949-1011.

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