Ending hunger through a hot meal
Jordan Jones stands in Mr.Hal’s kitchen where he cooks hot meals for the Dream Center kids.
Jordan Jones, Arkansas Dream Center Coach, arrives at 8 a.m. to start cooking for the Dream Center’s Summer Program. His job is much more than just heating up chicken nuggets and browning ground beef. “Mr.Jimmy,” as the kids call him, cooks two hot meals a day so they can go throughout it fed and full.
Food security is the heartbeat of Jones’ job. In the state of Arkansas, there are 162,000 hungry kids. Jones holds on to this statistic as he sees the bigger impact in the opportunity to serve kids hot meals.
“From day one, feeding is what the Dream Center has done. Before the kids, our mission was to feed the community. Doing this was the minimum we could do because this led to other opportunities to serve others,” Jones said. “It’s not just about the meal, it’s about what happens after they receive a meal. It is about building relationships and trying to find out how else you can be of service to others. That in itself is a relief for people. It is not just a program to ensure people eat, we are a program that cares about people.”
Jones followed in the footsteps of Dream Center legend, Mr. Hal. What started for him as a volunteer opportunity in 2012, turned into a full-time position at the Dream Center in the summer of 2013. Mr. Hal had a heart for cooking and kids. He saw just how much kids enjoyed a hot meal and wanted to cook for them during the after school and summer programs. Heartbreakingly, Mr. Hal passed away in February of 2021. To honor his service and continue cooking for the kids, Jones stepped in because he saw the importance of a hot meal.
Mr.Hal during a Dream Center Thanksgiving event. Long time volunteer and employee, Mr. Hal had a heart for providing hot meals for kids.
After Mr. Hal’s passing in 2021, the Dream Center honored his heart of service by naming the kitchen “Mr. Hal’s."
“I started cooking after we opened the doors post-COVID-19. We had another food program during this time, but it was not what our kids were used to. I wanted to take it over because I love the kids so much and saw they weren’t satisfied with what they were eating. I felt like it was what I had to do, and I love cooking. I knew Mr. Hal would want the kids to eat hot meals,” Jones shared.
Feeding kids is an act of love. Jones knows this to be true as he has seen the relationships that have formed while eating a meal.
“I have learned a couple of things since I have started working here. The first is eating meals family style at a table all together builds relationships with kids. We get to hear stories and find out how they are feeling. The second is food security. When kids come to the Dream Center, they know they are going to be fed, and they may not have that at home,” Jones said. “Food also provides happiness and love. You don’t see many people mad when they are eating.”
For Jones, working at the Dream Center has been an opportunity to mentor kids and change their lives. Growing up, he experienced the impact a strong support system can have on one’s life.
“I was once in the shoes of our kids. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the “center” I went to heavily impacted me. They were helping and feeding me before I went to my parents. They helped me keep my childhood. They kept me off the streets and supported me,” Jones shared. “I feel like now I get to be impactful. I get to carry this impact on to someone elses kid.”
Pray for hungry children in the state of Arkansas
To pray for the 162,000 hungry children in Arkansas, ask that God would provide for them and meet their deepest needs. Pray that there would be an end to the hunger crisis in the state so kids can grow and chase their God given dreams without distractions.
End the hunger crisis
For more information on how Every Arkansan is working to end the child hunger crisis in Arkansas, visit everyarkansan.org/thehungry .
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
Matthew 25:35