Copper Valley IGA Helps Residents During Flooding

April's historic snowfall in the small town of Glennallen, Alaska (30 inches), caused significant flooding when it melted in mid-May, turning the Copper Valley IGA —  the only full-service grocery store in a 150-mile radius — into a tiny island.

With nearby streets flooded and the public sewer system shut down over contamination fears, Copper Valley IGA Manager Judy Shaw announced to the community that she was available to help, even if the store was closed.

“We let everybody know, through radio and Facebook, that if they had an emergency, if they really needed something, to give us a call and we could get it,” Shaw said. "I live up on the hill above but I could put my waders on and walk down to get to the back of the store."

Shaw recalls about 10-12 instances where she had these emergency calls, primarily about getting groceries to elderly customers and baby formula to mothers. They also delivered water to residents, as some wells were contaminated from the flooding.

During the three and a half days the store was closed, Shaw had to pull plenty of food off the shelves to avoid spoilage. They vacuum sealed meat and placed it in the freezer. And she donated other foods to local churches and residents she knew were in need.

The flooding from melted snow made the Copper Valley IGA parking lot inaccessible. 

The floodwaters engulfed buildings, detaching them from their foundations and causing significant damage. It closed schools and stopped traffic along the Glenn Highway at both entrances into Glennallen, with a pilot vehicle guiding residences through the city’s main street, Alaska News Source reported. 

Luckily Copper Valley IGA did not experience any indoor flooding, which allowed Shaw to help residents in need.

"I want to commend Judy Shaw for going above and beyond during the recent flooding emergency," said IGA Area Director Doug Walter. "Despite the closure of their store, they took it upon themselves to deliver essential supplies to residents in need. Their selflessness and dedication exemplify the spirit of the IGA family."

With 12 years of experience running the store as general manager, Shaw knows her community's needs and has found value from her Independent Grocers Alliance membership. Copper Valley joined IGA about a year after opening to gain brand recognition so people could easily identify her store as a grocer.

“This whole store looked like it looked like a big old barn building (before I bought it). People would pass by and not even know it was a grocery store," she said. "I wanted to associate with a brand name to gain recognition from our shoppers.”

These recent efforts of Shaw and the Copper Valley IGA team highlight the vital role that a local grocery store plays in the fabric of a small town. It is the place where communities gather, where necessities are secured, and where compassion and resilience thrive.