‘It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!’ in Alaska, It’s Both, With Pilot Tossing Turkeys to Rural Homes

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—In the remote areas of Alaska, DoorDash isn’t an option for Thanksgiving dinner—or any meal delivery. However, some residents living off the grid still enjoy turkeys this holiday season, thanks to the Alaska Turkey Bomb.

Esther Keim, a resident, has been flying a small plane low and slow over rural parts of south-central Alaska for the third year in a row, dropping frozen turkeys to those who can’t easily access a grocery store.

Alaska is predominantly wilderness, with only about 20 percent accessible by road. During winter, residents in remote areas rely on small planes or snowmobiles for transportation, and frozen rivers can serve as makeshift roads.

Keim’s inspiration for the turkey drop mission came from her childhood when a family friend would airdrop turkeys to her family and neighbors during the holidays. This act of kindness left a lasting impact on Keim, prompting her to continue the tradition as an adult.

With a rebuilt small plane, Keim embarked on her turkey delivery mission after discovering a family nearby living off the land who had little for Thanksgiving dinner. Determined to make a difference, she decided to airdrop a turkey to them.

Her initiative has gained momentum through word of mouth and social media, with this year’s delivery consisting of 32 frozen turkeys to people living in cabins without road access.

Despite facing challenges due to Alaska’s unpredictable weather, Keim has successfully delivered most of the turkeys, bringing joy to families like Dave and Christina Luce, who live off the Yentna River.

Keim’s annual turkey deliveries extend as far as 100 miles from her base north of Anchorage, often enlisting the help of a “turkey dropper” to ensure successful drops. She purchases turkeys with donations, wraps them in plastic bags, and coordinates deliveries with families through social media.

Keim’s efforts not only provide Thanksgiving meals but also create memorable experiences for families, with some recording the turkey drops as a token of appreciation.

Looking ahead, Keim aims to establish a nonprofit organization to expand her reach and provide assistance to more communities across Alaska. Her ultimate goal is to bring joy to children in remote villages by including additional items like stuffed animals in future deliveries.

By Mark Thiessen and Becky Bohrer