As summer break begins, many children lose access to the nutritious meals they rely on during the school year. To help bridge this gap, the YMCA is stepping up by providing free summer meals to help keep children healthy and well-nourished.
The McGaw YMCA in Evanston is one of many Y locations nationwide offering free meals to all youth 18 and under through the Summer Food Program. Now in its fourteenth year, the program reflects the Y’s ongoing commitment to helping kids grow, thrive and reach their full potential.
In 2024, McGaw Y served 109,182 nutritious meals and snacks to over 930 youth and families enrolled in various YMCA programs. These meals were funded by YMCA operating funds, the City of Evanston, the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)/Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and supplemented by grants from foundations.
This year, the McGaw YMCA will offer free summer meal pickup at two locations in Evanston:
- Monday through Friday from June 9 to July 25 at Butler Park.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Monday through Friday from June 9 to Aug. 15 outside the YMCA main building (corner of Grove Ave. and Maple St.).
- Breakfast: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Snack: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To learn more about the McGaw YMCA’s Food Program, email Max Yas at maxy@mcgawymca.org.
Free Summer Meals are part of the Summer Food Service Program funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. The McGaw YMCA is an equal opportunity provider.
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