In the remote wilderness of Alaska, where DoorDash can’t reach, some residents are still able to enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey, thanks to the efforts of Esther Keim and her unique mission: the Alaska Turkey Bomb.
For the third consecutive year, Keim, flying a small plane over rural areas in south-central Alaska, has been dropping frozen turkeys to residents who are too far off the grid to easily access stores. With only about 20% of Alaska accessible by road, especially during the winter, many residents rely on small planes or snowmobiles to travel. Frozen rivers can serve as makeshift roads, allowing for limited access to supplies.
Keim’s initiative began after she learned about a family near her old homestead who was struggling to find enough food for Thanksgiving. The family had to rely on a squirrel to feed three people, which inspired Keim to deliver them a turkey. She then decided to expand the mission, and it has grown each year through social media and word of mouth.
This year, Keim delivered 32 turkeys to people living in cabins, many of which are not accessible by road. By Tuesday, only two turkeys remained to be delivered, with unpredictable weather preventing their drop.
Among the recipients was Dave and Christina Luce, who live along the Yentna River, 45 miles north of Anchorage. At 80 years old, Dave and Christina make fewer trips into town, which takes about 90 minutes by snowmobile. Keim’s 12-pound turkey was a welcome addition to their Thanksgiving table, and the couple, who have known Keim since she was a child, appreciated her kindness.
Each year, Keim delivers 30 to 40 turkeys, sometimes as far as 100 miles from her base north of Anchorage. She often receives help from others, such as her friend Heidi Hastings, who pilots her own plane for the deliveries. Keim funds the mission by purchasing turkeys in bulk, aided by donations from people who reach out to her on Facebook. The frozen birds are stored in her pickup truck until they can be delivered.
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Before each drop, Keim contacts the recipients to let them know the delivery is coming. She waits until the family is outside to make sure they see the turkey fall. Dropping turkeys on frozen lakes is often easier because of the visibility, though finding the turkey can sometimes prove challenging if deep snow covers the area. Keim recalls a turkey that went missing for five days before being found, but aside from that, the only casualty has been a lost ham.
Keim, who jokes about her imperfect aim, says the joy she receives from the families’ gratitude makes the effort worthwhile. Some families send her videos and messages of thanks, expressing their amazement at the turkey drops.
Looking ahead, Keim hopes to create a nonprofit organization to support her efforts and expand the reach across the state. She also envisions providing additional gifts, like stuffed animals for children in the villages, to further brighten their holidays.
Her Turkey Bomb has become a beloved tradition, offering a glimmer of warmth and community to those in the most isolated corners of Alaska.