Three years after the opening of The Lord’s Harvest Food Pantry at MCOP, another local anti-hunger initiative began.
In 2015, the Monroe Family YMCA entered the arena with its Summer Food Program. The program ran through the Summer of 2019 and was followed by the Y’s Afterschool Meal Program and the current Meal Distribution Program, which offers food bundles to area children.
“We have served over a half a million meals since 2015,” Amanda Schmitz of the YMCA, said. “These services are vital to many. As a leading change-agent in Monroe County, we are proud that our efforts are making a significant impact on a local, state and national scope.”
Schmitz is the Y’s food service delivery facilitator and the social responsibility and community outreach director.
The initial Summer Food Program of 2015 was started when YMCA staff recognized food insecurity in the county.
“The Y has been offering food as part of the childcare program structure for over 30 years. In 2015, we learned of the food insecurity rates in Monroe County and knew that we needed to be part of the solution to positively impact the youth in our community,” Schmitz said. “Equitable food access supports all kids and gives them the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Summer Food Program offered free healthy meals, served in a congregate manner, through USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to all youth up to age 18. Youth also engaged in activities to include physically active games, nutrition education, STEM activities, artistic expression and literacy.”
Meals were served at the YMCA and a few other locations. Funding came from the Walmart Fund, Toledo Community Foundation’s ProMedica Advocacy Fund, Michigan Health Endowment Fund and others.
In 2015, the Y provided 8,688 meals; 1,931 snacks and 2,845 meals for children, Carrie Powell, youth outreach director at the YMCA, said.
Another YMCA food program, The Afterschool Meal Program, ran from 2015 to 2020 and provided afterschool meals through the USDA Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP), said Schmitz.
Like the Summer Food Program, this program also included physical activities, homework help, nutrition education and artistic expression.
Food service at the YMCA ramped up on March 16, 2020, when the pandemic forced school closures.
“We pivoted to ensure all kids had access to healthy meals through grab-and-go sites located at 20 locations throughout Monroe County. Since then, we have been operating under the grab-and-go model, but are hopeful to return to the traditional program to include on-site activities soon,” Schmitz said.
During the pandemic year of 2020, the Y provided 212,865 meals, 3,432 snacks and 33,540 children’s meals.
In 2021, the Y distributed food at 20 community sites. More than 258,00 meals were distributed in 2021. Almost 1,500 pounds of groceries were distributed.
La-Z-Boy Foundation is a major sponsor of the Y’s food service programs.
The Y received the USDA’s “Turnip the Beet Award” 2017-20 for serving high-quality, healthy meals.
The Summer Food Program is expected to operate in some capacity this summer.
“We are waiting on directives from USDA to know in what capacity the program will run. Updates will be posted on our Year Round Food Page on our website, monroefamilyymca.org,” Schmitz said.
She said the Y continues to evaluate its food programs.
“It is important that we continue to provide equitable access, specifically in underserved areas,” she said. “We are continually assessing the trends in our community to ensure we are meeting the needs of all. This may result in the expansion or transition of site locations. We also consider the feedback from those we are serving. Youth and family voice are highly considered when creating menus. Our positive reputation has also offered opportunities to vend meals for other community agencies. We are always open to opportunities to expand our services.”
Monetary donations are welcome.
On the Net: https://www.monroefamilyymca.org/
Current offerings at the YMCA
Free meal bundles, offering seven days of meals and activities, are available to all youth up to age 18.
Food is offered in a grab-and-go. Currently, no congregate meals are offered. Meal bundle pick-up times and locations are:
Thursdays:
- 4-4:30 p.m., Greenwood Townhouses, Greenwood Ave.
- 4-4:30 p.m., Meadowbrook Estates, 1250 Standwyck Dr.
Fridays:
- 4-5 p.m., Monroe Family YMCA, 1111 W. Elm Ave.
- 4-4:30 p.m., Monroe County Opportunity Program at Arthur Lesow Community Center, 120 Eastchester St.
- 5:30-6 p.m., St. Mary Church, 127 N. Monroe St.
To learn more, contact Carrie Powell at (734) 241-2606, ext. 242 or cpowell@monroefamilyymca.org.
Leave a Reply