YMCA to Offer Free Summer Meals for Kids Starting Tuesday

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga Launches Free Summer Food Program for Local Youth

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is set to initiate its Free Summer Food Program for children on Tuesday, aiming to combat food insecurity during the summer months. This initiative, which serves children aged 18 and below, ensures that nutritious meals are accessible to all children in participating families, an essential service as the school year comes to a close.

The program is an inclusive, first-come, first-served initiative available to children across multiple counties, including Bradley, Hamilton, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie, as well as Walker and Catoosa counties in North Georgia. With the program running from Memorial Day through early August, local officials are emphasizing the importance of the initiative in addressing child hunger during the summer break.

Chattanooga’s Mayor, Tim Kelly, expressed gratitude to both the YMCA and the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) for their collaboration in facilitating this valuable service. “No child should ever go hungry,” Mayor Kelly stated, urging families in need to take advantage of the extensive network of over 70 meal sites available throughout the summer. Community centers, libraries, YMCA facilities, and local schools represent just a fraction of the locations where meals will be accessible.

Participants can find detailed information regarding the specific dates, times, and locations of meal distributions, as well as the types of meals and snacks offered, by visiting an online resource provided here.

Paula Irwin, Executive Director of the J.A. Henry Community YMCA, underscored the organization’s commitment to serving local families by stating, “We are excited about our continued partnership with the city of Chattanooga, especially with the library branches and community centers. With the Read & Ride program, we know that many more families will have access to our summer food program,” a critical resource for the community.

CARTA’s Read & Ride program is instrumental in this initiative, offering free transportation for families to reach food distribution sites. CARTA’s CEO, Charles Frazier, highlighted the synergy between the public transportation service and the YMCA’s efforts, noting that the fare-free program is designed to increase accessibility to essential resources like the Free Summer Food Program.

Additionally, the YMCA is further enhancing this partnership by providing around 1,500 five-day YMCA passes to children enrolled in the Read & Ride program, incentivizing participation in outdoor and recreational activities. This collaborative approach between local organizations underscores a community-focused response to food insecurity and aims to foster a healthier, more supportive environment for local youth.

As the summer approaches, this program signifies a commitment to ensuring that no child faces hunger, reinforcing Chattanooga’s dedication to community health and well-being. Families are encouraged to take full advantage of these offerings throughout the summer months. For CARTA’s route map and other logistical details, residents can find information here.