Young community members now have the chance to help make a meal for those in need.

This new program, “Baking with Chef Alex,” had its second run at Feed ‘em Soup Tuesday night.

The program was started as a way to get kids involved at Feed ‘em Soup and is scheduled for the second, fourth and fifth Tuesday of the month.

“We will serve anything baked in the ‘Baking with Chef Alex” program the next night,” said Derek Gibbs, Feed ‘em Soup marketing and brand director.

Gibbs said the program came from a number of youth groups inquiring about helping at Feed ‘em Soup. Various cub scouts and girl scouts were part of the event.

“Alex suggested having the kids help bake the day before the meal events,” Gibbs said.

While the program began as a resource for children, it is not limited to youth involvement.

Gibbs said the program has added seniors, fraternity and sorority groups, families, and other groups as well that are interested in volunteering to the list of possible participants.

“This gives the kids an opportunity to participate in a more kid-friendly setting,” said Debbie Cravatta, Cub Scouts Pack 117 activities chair.

Putting children in the kitchen might be a concern for some, but Alex Smith, Feed ‘em Soup volunteer head chef, said he enjoys the opportunity.

“The kids are better than the adults,” Smith said. “They listen better and they don’t assume they know what they are doing. And they are more enthusiastic usually.”

Smith said he chooses the recipes for each group based on what he thought he would have been capable of baking at that age.

Though the program is just starting out, there has already been a lot of interest with four future events already completely booked.

“The group that was in charge of scheduling for last week has already called to schedule again,” Gibbs said.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the “Baking with Chef Alex” event or the meal events can sign up on feedemsoup.org under the “Get Involved” tab.