The Y to Serve nearly 5 Million Healthy Meals this Summer to 200,000 Kids

CHICAGO, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Y (www.ymca.net) announced today it will extend its Summer Food Program to approximately 200,000 kids this summer, thanks to a $5.3 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. More than 1,100 locations across the country will offer the program aimed at keeping children healthy, active and well-nourished all summer long. The program, which is free to youth ages 18 and under, helps fill the summertime gap for those who receive free and reduced-cost meals during the school year. The Y Summer Food Program will serve nearly 5 million nutritious meals and snacks along with fun learning activities that help provide the fundamentals of healthy development.

To learn more about the Y's Summer Food Program or find a participating location, visit ymca.net/summerfood.

"Millions of kids rely on free and low-cost lunch plans during the school year, and those children are at risk of going hungry when school's not in session," said Y-USA, spokesperson for the Summer Food Program at Y-USA, Stacey McDaniel. "We're helping fill that gap with our Summer Food Program to make sure kids can enjoy a healthy and delicious meal all year long."

During the school year, more than 16.9 million children receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only 2.3 million, or about 12 percent, of these young people have access to free meals over the summer break.

"This is the fifth consecutive year of our partnership with the Y, and we're proud to extend the program to additional Y locations this year to help even more communities across the country," said Karrie Dennison, director of Hunger & Nutrition, the Walmart Foundation.

This year marks the program's fifth year and the Y's ongoing commitment to nurturing the physical, mental and social-emotional development of youth. To-date, the Y's Summer Food Program has served 34.5 million healthy snacks and meals to nearly 400,000 kids.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S. in 10,000 communities, 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.

The Y serves 9 million young people across the country, offering programs to help them thrive, from cradle to career.  Visit www.HoptheGap.org for more information.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women's Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.

Contact:
Ryu Mizuno
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8325
[email protected]

SOURCE The Y

Related Links

http://www.ymca.net