Fueling Potential: How the Y Is Fighting Hunger

Imagine being a child who doesn’t know where the next meal will come from. For 1 in 5 kids in the U.S., this is reality. Last year, more than 47 million people faced food insecurity, including nearly 14 million children. Hunger is everywhere, even in your neighborhood. 

The Hunger Gap Is Real 

The numbers tell a sobering story: 

• 30 million children rely on school lunches, but only 2.8 million get summer meals. 

• Just 1 in 16 eligible kids receive afterschool meals. 

• Less than 10% of U.S. kids eat enough fruits and vegetables. 

• 1 in 2 adults has a chronic disease linked to poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. 

When school is out, hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Families struggle to fill the gap, and children pay the price in health, learning, and emotional well-being. 

The Y’s Response: Nourishing Communities Nationwide 

At the Y, we believe food is foundational. Nutritious meals don’t just fill plates; they fuel potential. They help kids grow strong in body and mind, and they create moments of connection that every child deserves.  

With trusted facilities, stigma-free spaces, and nationwide reach, the Y provides year-round meals, snacks, and nutrition education:  

• 57 million meals served annually in nearly 6,000 communities 

• One of the largest nonprofit providers of meals and snacks to kids and teens in the U.S. 

• Programs include summer and afterschool meals, nutrition education, mobile food access, emergency hunger relief, and convenient accessible food pantries and distributions. 

Stories of Impact National Reach and Local Impact 

La Crosse Area Family YMCA 

In rural Wisconsin, the La Crosse Area Family YMCA is making a powerful difference. Through its Mobile Market and youth-focused meal initiatives, the Y ensures families, children, and seniors have reliable access to nutritious meals, especially those who might otherwise struggle to put food on the table. 

Felicia, a Mobile Market client, shared: “You’re the only ones I can turn to when I’m in need. My family is in Chicago, and I don’t have anyone else here that I can rely on or trust. I know you always come through for me.” 

The La Crosse Y has also launched Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meal Sites in neighboring communities, serving an additional 3,500 meals each week to families facing transportation barriers. Partnerships with tribal communities, schools, and public health departments ensure that food access is available to those who need it most. 

YMCA of Metropolitan Denver 

In Denver, the YMCA’s Beyond Hunger Food Pantry offers dignity and nourishment to families facing hardship, including grandparents raising grandchildren on fixed incomes. These efforts go beyond meeting basic needs—they promote child development, academic readiness, and community resilience. 

The Y of Denver also empowers kids through Cooking for Kids, an 8-week program teaching culinary skills, nutrition basics, and confidence in the kitchen. It’s more than cooking—it’s about building life skills and fostering creativity, teamwork, and health. 

YMCA of Greater Boston 

In Boston, the YMCA of Greater Boston has become a lifeline for families during times of crisis. Through its Food Access Program, the Y has distributed millions of pounds of food to families struggling with job loss and rising costs.  

One parent shared: “Without the Y, I don’t know how we would have made it through. The groceries we receive mean my kids can eat healthy meals, and I can breathe a little easier.” 

The Boston Y also partners with local farms and food banks to provide fresh produce and culturally relevant foods, ensuring families not only have enough to eat but also feel respected and supported. These efforts strengthen community ties and promote dignity in food access. 

Why This Matters 

Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger—it’s about health and opportunity. Kids who eat well: 

• Cope with stress in healthy ways. 

• Regulate their emotions. 

• Build self-esteem. 

• Perform better in school. 

When families have access to nutritious food, they can redirect limited resources toward other essentials like housing, healthcare, and education. Hunger relief strengthens entire communities. 

Join Us: Be Part of the Solution 

The Y has the infrastructure, partnerships, and commitment to close nutrition gaps effectively—but we can’t do it alone. Join the movement and support the Y’s anti-hunger efforts today:  

• Donate to support year-round meal programs and broader food access. 

• Volunteer at a local Y to help distribute meals or stock food pantries. 

• Advocate for policies that expand access to nutrition programs for kids and families. 

Together, we can build a hunger-free future—one meal, one child, one community at a time.