Monday, May 20, 2013

News
Man's Mission to Feed Anchorage's Kids
Two in five children in Anchorage will go to bed hungry tonight, and George Bell has made it his personal mission to curb those statistics.
By Corey Allen-Young


Two in five children in Anchorage will go to bed hungry tonight, and George Bell has made it his personal mission to curb those statistics.

Through his organization, the Children’s Meal Mission, his goal is to feed city’s hungry young mouths.

George likes to stay behind the scenes and spends most of his time cooking and preparing the meals his organization dishes out. “I have no agenda other than simply seeing these kids have a nutritious meal,” he said.

Jennifer Brown, the director of urban clubs for the Boys & Girls Club of Alaska, emphasized the important relationship between full bellies and behavior in kids.

“If we feed them, they're more likely to have the energy to participate in programs,” she explained, plus it cuts down on crankiness and aggression.

But George said he doesn’t want the food he serves to be viewed as a charity or handout.

“It’s family. We’re just here to serve you guys some food. There's no reason to feel a little reluctant or hesitant,” he said.

Thanks to Children’s Meal Mission, hundreds of Anchorage’s kids are eating warm meals, which for many may be their only meal of the day.

“I feel so good after I have served a meal and know that at least 80 to 100 kids have eaten tonight,” he said.

George works full time as a chef at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center and the time he puts in with Children’s Meal Mission is completely volunteered.