The Feed Me Hope Bakery originally began for the female shelter guests at Downtown Hope Center, helping the ladies who have experienced trauma involving men transition back into a work environment near men, but not directly working alongside them. It has since extended to women in the community interested in learning entry and intermediate-level baking techniques.
 
Students learn everything from basic food preparation and safety to intricate decorating and piping techniques. Bakery students fill daily orders and produce baked goods and pastries at a mass production level for the community. When in season, they can gain experience and represent the Downtown Hope Center in the operation and product sales of the Feed Me Hope Food Truck. All bakery students take the online test to receive their Municipality of Anchorage Food Handler’s card. 
​
In addition to their hands-on training, all bakery and culinary students take Job Skills and Life Transformation courses.  

In Job Skills, students are given tools and strategies that yield advantages over other job applicants or employees. Students learn positive work ethics, values, and attitudes while discovering Biblical principles on various topics. Students also learn basic financial literacy, through extensive job interview preparation- including a mock interview- and several weeks before graduation is dedicated specifically to job search.

Life Transformation provides students the opportunity to address their addictions, trauma, anger, and other life-dominating issues that have been barriers to past success. The curriculum involves working through deep-rooted and life-dominating issues where they can be processed and addressed, allowing for healing and positive change. A weekly chapel service is also included.  
 
By the time students complete the program, students should excel in what we call the Ten Core Competencies: Attendance, Personal Responsibility, Coachability, Food Safety, Time Management, Customer Service, Knife Skills, Culinary/Bakery Knowledge & Skills, Equipment Knowledge, and Kitchen Math. We have seen a remarkable transformation in the lives of our students as they begin to walk into their healthy futures.