Alaska News

Anchorage shelter Bean's Cafe announces interim director

Anchorage soup kitchen and backup homeless shelter Bean's Café has announced Joan Fisher as interim executive director following the passing of long-term director Jim Crockett.

Fisher has worked in the nonprofit health care sector for more than 30 years, with a focus on advocating for poor and vulnerable populations, according to a press release sent out Monday. She worked at Providence Health and Services for 19 years, and then at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Inc. from 1998 until 2012.

Jim Crockett served as executive director of Bean's Cafe from 2001 to late 2012, when he died unexpectedly at the age of 64 from pneumonia.

"He was a very unique individual, and they broke the mold when they made him (director) in terms of caring and compassion." Leslie Ellis, chair of Bean's board of directors, told KTUU in November.

A celebration of Jim Crockett's life will be held 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Bean's Café.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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