Posted on: Thursday, February 20th, 2020
Partner with us for our 6th annual Food Drive
Thank you for your support of local families in need. This year, our Healthy Food Access Initiative is excited to share a food drive that will support school-based food pantries. From March 9 through April 15, donation boxes will be available for you to bring along a healthy food item (or two!) during your next visit to the Y.
Did you know? One in nine people in eastern Massachusetts is at risk for food insecurity. Due to significant increases in food insecurity, many schools are now hosting food pantries, which greatly aids families where transportation or work schedules conflict with their accessing the town food pantry.
School-based food pantries rely heavily on community resources to provide kids the healthy food they need and deserve. Volunteers, staff, parents, teachers, clubs, churches, and other community groups are all crucial to implementing and sustaining these programs through food drives and fundraising efforts.
Please support local families by donating healthy, kid-friendly food items. Typically, children carry this food home and often prepare it themselves, so we are asking for food that is reasonably nutritious, lightweight, and easy to prepare. All food will be donated directly to the schools or the town food pantries. Suggested items include: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes. Grocery store gift card donations can also be made in person at YMCA Member Services.
Your volunteer support is also welcome in these ways: weighing and counting donations, transporting donated items, and helping spread the word about this initiative with friends and neighbors.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Shannon Nisbett at shannonn@hockymca.org.
Sponsored by: Hockomock Area YMCA’s Healthy Food Access Initiative and Stop & Shop.
