In the coming weeks, the Mountain View Community Center in Anchorage will transition its management from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska to the city's Parks and Recreation Department. However, this change has led to concerns over the continuity of essential services, particularly the nightly dinner program for children under 18. The nonprofit organization currently operating the center has cited financial difficulties as the reason for halting meal services a month earlier than expected. Parents and volunteers are now mobilizing efforts to ensure that meals continue uninterrupted until May.
For more than two decades, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska have managed the Mountain View Community Center, which is owned by the Municipality of Anchorage. Recently, mounting financial pressures compelled the organization to reassess its operations. A decision was made to transfer control to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department starting June 1st. Yet, an unexpected email alerted parents that the free dinner service would cease prematurely, leaving many families concerned about their children's access to food.
Jasmin Smith, a local business owner and community council vice chair, expressed surprise at the abrupt change. She emphasized that the community had anticipated a seamless transition with no immediate disruptions. Andy Mergens, the chief operations officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs, explained that rising operational costs, exacerbated by inflation and increased labor expenses, have outpaced reimbursements from the Child and Adult Care Food Program funded by the USDA. Consequently, the organization can no longer sustain the full-service meals across five facilities.
Despite the challenges, community spirit remains strong. Smith initiated a social media campaign urging support to maintain the meal service. Volunteers organized a drive to collect food supplies and grocery store gift cards, aiming to simplify donation logistics. They hope these contributions will enable them to retain part-time kitchen staff who prepare nutritious meals for the children. Additionally, any surplus funds will be allocated towards supporting the center post-transition.
As summer approaches, the center plans to expand its offerings by providing lunches alongside dinners during school breaks. Connor Kimbrell, a lifelong resident of Mountain View, highlighted the significance of communal solidarity in addressing such needs. He noted that collaboration has always been central to the identity of this vibrant neighborhood.
Volunteers invite the public to join their initiative on Friday evening and Saturday midday at the Mountain View Community Center. While the future programs under the new management remain uncertain, the commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the youth of Mountain View endures. The city's Parks and Recreation Department assures ongoing engagement with the community to design meaningful recreational and nutritional opportunities.