🌱 Seawolf Pantry For UAA Students + $20K For Special Olympics Alaska

Morning, people of Anchorage! It's me again, Dominique-Noelle Rafael, your host of the Anchorage Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 45 Low: 32.

Here are the top three stories in Anchorage today:

1. According to a University of Alaska Anchorage study, nearly 45 percent of UAA's students experience some type of food insecurity. To help alleviate this problem, the Seawolf Pantry launched its soft opening this spring. The food pantry, which is currently running on an appointment-only model, is scheduled for its fully-operational grand opening in September 2022. The program will only be open to UAA students, though they can receive food for household members. (University of Alaska Anchorage)
2. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, based in Anchorage, has donated $20,000 to Special Olympics Alaska. The credit union's donation came in support of the Alaska organization's biggest community fundraiser, the Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run, as well as a few grassroots programs. The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. (Anchorage Chamber of Commerce)
3. Calling all young professionals: the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Group (YPG) is hosting the 2022 Alaska Young Professionals Summit from Apr. 29-30. The event will be held in person at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center as well as virtually via Whova. The two-day summit will include various workshops and seminars led by industry leaders; visit Whova for the full agenda. (Patch)

Today in Anchorage:

• Spring Garden Show At Midtown Mall (10:00 AM)
• Literacy Games At Anchorage Public Library (11:30 AM)
• Big Band Bash At Alaska Aviation Museum(6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Anchorage Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 60-year-old Dale Jackson. Jackson was last seen on Mar. 18, 2022, near his residence at the 6000-block of 6th Ave. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Police Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1), 907-786-8900 from outside the Municipality. (Facebook)
• Starting on Monday (Apr. 18), Anchorage Parks and Recreation will be temporarily closing the following parks: Arctic Benson Dog Park, South Anchorage Sports Small Dog Park, Valley of the Moon Dog Park, and Whisper Faith Kovach Dog Park. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Dominique-Noelle Rafael

About me: Dominique is a self taught UX/UI designer based in Princeton, NJ. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland last spring with a bachelor's degree in Information Science. She is excited to begin working on the Patch newsletter project this year!