Money is tight for many families these days but while most people can get by on cutting back, others are facing true emergencies. In this week's Break the Cycle report we visit with a volunteer group that can help.

It's called FISH which stands for fellowship in serving humanity and for more than 20 years they've been providing emergency food supplies to people here in Anchorage.

Fish volunteer Barbara Smith says they are definitely seeing an increase in people in need and those people are calling on Fish.. “Everyday..I mean we would have perhaps 40 or 50 calls and we can only respond to 20 so there has been a tremendous increase in hungry people in Anchorage.”

Fish operates an emergency food hotline..three days a week ..after volunteers take down some basic information..they pack up the food.. It's a three day emergency supply designed to get hungry people through the rough spots.

Volunteers say it's not meant to be a long term solution and in fact..people aren't allowed to use fish's services more than once a month. 

And there is one more thing that FISH does that no other agency does. They are the only folks who actually deliver food right to people's doors.

Volunteer Bruce Neeno says

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FISH is making a difference in breaking the cycle of hunger and they see it every day. “When you make a delivery and they almost run to the door and they see you and they hear the words fish it's very satisfying.”

FISH runs entirely on volunteers. They need people to work just one day a month..answering phones..buying..packing..or delivering food. And of course they are always looking for donations.

If you'd like to learn more about the organization they are in the process of developing a website…you can find them soon at fishcharity.org.

If you need help you can call the Fish hotline at 277-0818.

 

To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.