One in seven children in the U.S. is fighting hunger. Because of COVID-19-related school closings, these kids are even more at risk.
YMCAs across the country are mobilizing community partners to set up Grab & Go and Drive Through meal sites to ensure kids and teens ages 18 and under have access to nutritious food while maintaining social distance.
Afterschool Meal Program
Almost 13 million children and teens under 18 live with food insecurity. And when the school day ends, many of these youth are at risk of going hungry, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
INFOGRAPHIC: IMPACT OF HUNGER BY THE NUMBERS Opens a new window
Combining academics and nutrition, the Y is offering an Afterschool Meal Program to provide children with nutrition and academic enrichment activities so they can be healthy and succeed in school.
Thanks to our partnership with the Walmart Foundation Opens a new window, we are ensuring children have access to meals during out-of-school time, when they need them most.
As part of our focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y is committed to keeping children nourished all year long. More than 2,500 YMCA afterschool programs are providing learning enrichment and physical activities to keep minds and bodies active, while also serving healthy food.
Across 5,200 summer and afterschool food program sites, YMCAs have collectively served 22 million meals and snacks to children.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Working together can have the greatest impact in alleviating child hunger. Here are three simple things anyone can do to alleviate child hunger in their own communities:
1. Put excess to good use
Having extra can help feed those with less. On the next few visits to the grocery store, if possible, buy one or two extra non-perishable food items. Items like pastas, canned tuna and dried beans can be donated to those in need. At the end of the month, gather those items and donate them to the nearest food bank, homeless shelter or church outreach program. Families can likely find even more opportunity to donate by cleaning out their pantries seasonally.
2. Make it a group effort
There is strength in numbers—and the power to make a difference. Join others who share a cause for fighting hunger by volunteering at a soup kitchen (unpacking boxes, cooking or serving food), participating in a community food drive for a food bank, or working with a church’s community outreach. Assemble a team of co-workers, neighbors or friends to join the effort.
3. Become an advocate
Spreading the word about a program or organization that truly makes a difference can help expand its reach. Further support the efforts of organizations like the Y by reaching out to those in need and letting them know the programs exist.
Easy and Healthy Recipes from Local Ys
One way to encourage kids to try new foods and adopt healthy eating habits is to involve them in the kitchen. The Y feeds thousands of youth every year during out-of-school time and our staff are always looking to keep snack and meal time interesting! Here are our favorite kid-tested recipes submitted from Ys across the country.
Meals
- Bean and Vegetable Stew
- Easy Eggplant Stir Fry
- Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Latin Inspired Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili
- Turkey Panini
Breakfast
Sides
- Baked Spaghetti Squash
- Greek Yogurt Guacamole
- Potato Salad
- Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Tomato Cucumber Herb Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Treats
