The Hopkinsville-Christian County Family YMCA is expanding its feeding program.
Now, the organization will be offering weekend grab bags at six locations: Aaron McNeil House, Challenge House 1, Challenge House 4, Challenge House 5, Restoration House and Freeman Chapel. They’re available to children 18 years and younger.
A grant from the Arby’s Foundation has helped this idea come to fruition, as did a donation by the Wood Family the Hopkinsville YMCA consisting of old Kentucky New Era newspaper racks. Arby’s officials awarded funding for the refurbishing of these racks for meal distribution.
The Hopkinsville YMCA and its national charter, YMCA of the USA, remain dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger — particularly on weekends, where children do no have access to free school meals.
In 2021, the Hopkinsville YMCA distributed more than 40,000 meals, and through a partnership with the Christian County Public Schools, more than 5,700 backpacks were handed out through weekend programming.
This new program, which simply uses old newspaper racks to hold several bags of food at each location, will allow the YMCA to reach children and families not supported by the backpack program, or who have additional needs on the weekend.
Hopkinsville YMCA Programs and Outreach Director Amanda Crutchfield noted more than 13 million children nationwide are at risk of going hungry through Saturdays and Sundays. One in six children will go without a meal this weekend, with schools owning no jurisdiction during this time.
Businesses and individuals can learn more about this program and ways to support by contacting Crutchfield at the Hopkinsville YMCA at (270) 887-5382 or email Amanda@hopkinsvilleymca.org.
