Reducing Hunger

When school’s out, one in five children in greater Seattle goes hungry, losing access to the school lunches they rely on nine months out of the year. So after the last bell rings, the Y steps in.

This year, child and teenager who came to the Auburn Y, Dale Turner Family Y and Matt Griffin Y branches for a summer program or a day camp, even those who were not enrolled, received a free, healthy meal. Our other branches offered meals to those enrolled. The Northshore branch piloted a Totes-to-Go program, where anyone in the community could stop by the Y and pick up a carry-out groceries.

In America, hunger quietly slips under the radar – yet so many are struggling to put food on their tables. Through the partnerships the Y developed throughout 2017, our team is increasing consistent access to healthy food in our community.

The Y participated in a county-wide coalition focused on closing the hunger gap in the region and through subsequent partnerships with Neighborhood House, United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, and other agencies.

This year, with funding from the Opportunities for All campaign, the Y continued expanding its free meals services for children and families. The need is growing and the Y is expanding food security programs to ensure that all have access to healthy food – not just for living a healthy life, but for helping children develop to their fullest potential, and creating more equitable communities for all.

Did you know? Last year the Y:

• Served over 197,000 meals and snacks to low-income children, youth, adults and families – a nearly 19% increase from the previous year.

Click on the button below to read more about our work in our annual report