(Photo by Tiffany Creed – KOTZ, Kotzebue)
A community food service is in operation to address hunger in Kotzebue through regular hot meals, prepared and served at Cudd Hall. Cooks Blaine Barger and Wayne Henry have been serving carryout meals for those in need for about four days and plan to continue for several weeks at least.
Hans Nelson, Kotzebue’s Rural Housing Coordinator with the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities, says they have passed out about 90 meals so far. He says there are no special requirements for accepting a hot meal from the program.
“It’s not intended for one audience in particular, be it elders, or children, or those within a certain economic bracket,” Nelson said, “It’s for those that are in need.”
He says those who have come in have appreciated the hot meal. The program also serves people who can’t make it to Cudd Hall, bringing food to their homes. Stores in the area have donated food, and local organizations have donated money, so it feels to Nelson like a home-cooked effort.
“The local feeling that I get as I’m there, when they do distribute the meals, as well as myself — I’m going door-to-door — I get nothing but big smiles, and just a warm thank you,” Nelson said.
The food service grew out of conversations around homelessness in a local grassroots group that Nelson is looking to help formalize into a nonprofit. From there, the efforts were picked up financially by local and statewide organizations, including a grant from the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.
Nelson hopes to see a coalition form to address short term goals, like feeding people in need on a daily basis, without losing focus on long term goals concerning homelessness and hunger in rural areas.
Those in need of a hot meal can stop by Cudd Hall at around 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email rhckotzebue@aahaak.org or call 442-5002.
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July 11, 2020 at 06:08AM
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For Kotzebue residents struggling to eat, local food service offers hot meals - Kotzebue Broadcasting Inc.
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