Free Items And Services In Alaskas Mat-Su Valley Veterans Offers Free Stuff And Educational Resources

Introduction

The Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska, encompassing Wasilla, Palmer, and surrounding communities, offers various free items and services for residents and visitors. From free physical items available through local listings to complimentary meals for veterans on Veterans Day, and educational resources for students, the area provides numerous opportunities to access goods and services at no cost. This article explores the different types of freebies available in the Mat-Su Valley, focusing on free physical items, veteran-specific offers, educational resources, and community-based free stores.

Free Physical Items in the Mat-Su Area

Residents of the Mat-Su Valley have access to numerous free items through online listings and community sharing platforms. Craigslist, a popular online marketplace, features a "Free Stuff" section specifically for the Wasilla area, where community members list items they are giving away at no cost.

The types of free items available in the Wasilla area are diverse and include:

• Home appliances: Working upright freezers, fridges/freezers
• Furniture: Picnic tables, chairs
• Construction materials: Free gravel, quartz countertops
• Recreational items: Pogo sticks, scooters, televisions
• Garden supplies: Wood chips for garden beds, mulch, assorted gardening tools
• Miscellaneous items: Beer bottles, foam RV mattresses, firewood

These items are typically available for direct pickup, with the specific location mentioned in the listing. Most listings indicate that items are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no purchase required. The listings often include the neighborhood or general area within the Mat-Su Valley where the items can be retrieved, such as Meadow Lakes, Big Lake, Palmer, and Settlers Bay.

To access these free items, interested individuals should regularly check the Craigslist "Free Stuff" section for Wasilla and the surrounding Mat-Su communities. The listings typically include contact information or instructions for arranging pickup. Since these are community-based giveaways, availability is time-sensitive, and items may be claimed quickly after being posted.

Veterans Day Free Meals and Services

The Mat-Su Valley demonstrates significant appreciation for military veterans through various free meals and services offered on Veterans Day and surrounding dates. Local businesses, organizations, and community centers provide complimentary meals and other benefits to honor the service of veterans and active-duty military personnel.

In the Anchorage and Mat-Su area, several venues offer free meals specifically for veterans:

• Willow Trading Post: Provides free meals for current and former military members with proof of service on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 12-9 p.m. at 14345 N. Willow Station Rd., Willow.
• American Legion Post 15 (Palmer): Offers a ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, with a Commander's Veterans Day speech and finger food for veterans and their families at 1550 S. Mystic Circle, Palmer.
• Eagle River Elks Lodge: Hosts a rib dinner free for all veterans from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 17111 N. Eagle River Loop Rd., Eagle River.
• AmVets Post 9: Features a potluck at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 1591 N. Creste Foris St.

Additionally, Veterans Wall of Honor ceremonies are held in the area, including one at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, near the Wasilla police station at 801 Wasilla-Fishhook Road, Wasilla.

Several national restaurant chains with locations in Alaska also offer Veterans Day freebies:

• Little Caesars: Provides a free HOT-N-READY® Lunch Combo (four slices of Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage) to veterans and active-duty military on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Logan's Roadhouse: Offers one free meal from their Veterans Day menu to active-duty military and veterans with proof of service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11.
• Mission BBQ: Serves a free sandwich at noon with a live National Anthem performance.
• O'Charley's: Provides veterans and active-duty military with a free entrée from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, as well as a $5 reward card for their next visit.
• Olive Garden: Offers a free entrée from their special menu to veterans and current military members who dine with them on Nov. 11 with proof of military service.

Other national chains with Veterans Day offers include: - Buffalo Wild Wings: 10 FREE Boneless Wings and Fries with valid ID - California Pizza Kitchen: Free meal for veterans and active duty on Nov. 11, dine-in only - Chicken Salad Chick: Free meal with one side and drink on Nov. 11, valid in restaurant or drive-thru - Chili's: Free meal for veterans and active military on Nov. 11, in-restaurant only - Chipotle: Any entrée with a second entrée for free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 11 with valid military ID

To access these veteran-specific offers, individuals typically need to provide proof of military service, such as a military ID, DD214, or other documentation verifying veteran status or current military service. Most offers are valid only on Veterans Day or the specified dates and times.

Educational Free Resources

Teachers and students in the Mat-Su Valley and beyond can access various free educational resources online, particularly in mathematics. These resources are designed to support learning through engaging, hands-on materials that can be downloaded and printed for classroom or home use.

Several free math resources are available:

• Comparing Fractions Work Mats: A free set designed to help students build confidence in comparing fractions. These mats provide hands-on practice that makes abstract concepts easier to grasp. The set includes printable work mats with visual support to reinforce fraction concepts, making them perfect for small groups, centers, or independent practice.

• Math Strategy Mats for Addition and Multiplication: Free resources based on Singapore Math strategies, providing students with multiple methods for solving problems. These mats help reinforce key concepts through repetition and hands-on practice. The addition strategy mats focus on making 10s and counting on, while the multiplication mats help students understand multiplication through various approaches.

• Multiplying Decimals Digital Sum Mat: A free digital resource that allows students to engage in multiplying multi-digit decimals in a self-checking manner on Google Slides. This digital format provides immediate feedback and can be used for both in-class instruction and independent practice.

These educational resources are typically available for download on educational platforms like TeachersPayTeachers, where teachers can access them for classroom use. The materials are designed to be engaging and effective, helping students master basic math operations through multiple strategies and approaches.

The resources are particularly valuable for reluctant learners, as they provide alternative approaches to understanding mathematical concepts. Teachers have reported that these materials make learning "surprisingly engaging and competitive even for my reluctant learners," indicating their effectiveness in maintaining student interest and participation.

Community-Based Free Stores

The University of Louisville's Free Store model demonstrates how educational institutions can address both student needs and environmental sustainability through free resource distribution. While not located in the Mat-Su Valley, this model could inspire similar initiatives in Alaska.

The UofL Free Store operates as a space for the ongoing free exchange of clean, functional, durable items. The store accepts and distributes various categories of goods, including:

• Clothing, shoes, accessories
• Housewares and kitchen items
• Linens, bath/beauty/cleaning supplies
• Electronics and small appliances
• Books, school supplies, and art supplies

In Fall 2025, the Free Store moved to a new, larger (272 square feet), more accessible space at the rear of Honors House room 108. The store is open throughout the Fall semester with specific hours: - Mondays: 10am-6pm - Tuesdays: 10am-6pm - Wednesdays: 9am-6pm - Thursdays: 9am-6pm - Fridays: 10am-2pm - Saturdays: 1-3pm

The Free Store is closed whenever there are no classes, including University Holidays, Breaks, and Emergency Closures.

The store is operated by interns and volunteers who help process donations and maintain organization. This community-based approach serves a dual purpose: meeting the needs of the UofL community while diverting useful items from landfills. In 2023-24 alone, the Free Store diverted 5,012 pounds of items from the landfill.

Donations of clean, functional items can be made at any time in the small bin outside the door of the Free Store or in the large red bins at the Garden Commons next to the Baptist Center.

This model demonstrates how free stores can address material needs while promoting sustainability. Similar initiatives could potentially be developed in the Mat-Su Valley to serve community members while reducing waste.

Conclusion

The Mat-Su Valley offers numerous opportunities for residents and visitors to access free items and services. Through Craigslist listings, community members can find a wide variety of free physical items ranging from appliances to recreational equipment. Veterans receive special recognition through complimentary meals and services at local businesses and community events on Veterans Day. Educational resources provide valuable support for students learning mathematical concepts, and community-based free stores offer models for addressing needs while promoting sustainability.

To access these freebies, individuals should regularly check online listings, verify eligibility requirements for veteran-specific offers, and explore educational platforms for free teaching resources. Community members interested in establishing free stores may find inspiration in successful models like the UofL Free Store, which combines service to the community with environmental benefits.

The availability of these free resources demonstrates the community-oriented nature of the Mat-Su Valley, where both residents and businesses contribute to making goods and services accessible to all, particularly those who have served in the military or face economic challenges.

Sources

1. TeachersPayTeachers Free Math Resources
2. Craigslist Free Stuff - Wasilla
3. The Boston Calendar - Free Events
4. Alaska News Source - Veterans Day Events
5. University of Louisville Free Store
6. Alaska News Source - Veterans Day Freebies