News Summary
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is introducing a Free Summer Food Program starting on May 27, aiming to provide free meals to children under 18 in various Tennessee and Georgia counties. With over 70 locations participating, the initiative seeks to combat childhood hunger during the summer months. Alongside meals, the program includes fare-free transportation support for families, enhancing accessibility. The YMCA will also distribute YMCA passes to children enrolled in the Ride & Read program, promoting engagement in positive activities. This initiative reflects a significant community commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry.
Chattanooga Launches Free Summer Food Program
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is set to kick off its Free Summer Food Program on May 27, 2025. The initiative aims to provide free meals to children aged 18 and under across multiple counties in Tennessee and Georgia. The program is designed to combat childhood hunger by ensuring that no child is left without access to nutritious food during the summer months.
Eligibility and Locations
Children from Bradley, Hamilton, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie counties in Tennessee, as well as Walker and Catoosa counties in North Georgia, are eligible to participate in the program. The meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are available to all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
More than 70 locations will participate in the Free Summer Food Program. These sites include city community centers, libraries, YMCA facilities, community partner locations, and local schools, making the program accessible to a wide range of families.
Program Duration and Meal Information
The program will run from Memorial Day through early August 2025. Detailed information regarding meal times and specific locations will be available online to help families navigate the program. Additionally, information about the types of food offered will also be published to ensure transparency and accessibility.
Transportation Support
To further enhance access to meal sites, Mayor Tim Kelly highlighted the partnership with CARTA, the local transit authority, which operates the Read & Ride program. This initiative will provide fare-free transportation to families, ensuring that children can easily reach the summer food program locations without transportation barriers. CARTA will also have its route map available online to assist families in finding transportation options.
In a bid to reach more families, the YMCA will distribute approximately 1,500 five-day YMCA passes to children enrolled in the Ride & Read program. This aims to broaden access to YMCA resources, providing children with more opportunities to engage in positive activities throughout the summer.
Program Impact and Community Support
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga prepares, packs, and delivers about 300,000 meals annually to children. This substantial effort reflects the organization’s commitment to fighting childhood hunger in the community.
Mayor Kelly expressed his gratitude to the YMCA for running this essential program and acknowledged the critical role of transportation in increasing access to food for children. The initiative aims to ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer and that families in need receive the support they require to maintain their children’s well-being.
Conclusion
The Free Summer Food Program represents a significant effort to address childhood hunger in the Chattanooga area and the surrounding counties. By providing free meals to children and facilitating access through transportation services, the YMCA and local authorities are taking proactive steps to support families during the summer months.
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Additional Resources
- Chattanooga Pulse
- Google Search: YMCA Free Summer Food Program Chattanooga
- WDEF News
- Wikipedia: Childhood hunger
- News Channel 9
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
- Nooga Today
- Google News: YMCA food program Chattanooga
