Grants enable YMCA to help kids while school is out

While school is out for the summer, an important source of free meals for thousands of local children from low-income households is unavailable. To help fill the need, the YMCA of Greater Seattle is offering free, nutritious meals to children through King and south Snohomish counties for the second year in a row. Through a partnership with YMCA of the USA, Walmart has generously donated $62,500 to support this effort.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle received this funding as part of Walmart’s Summer Giving Campaign – a $25 million initiative aimed at filling the gaps created when schools close this summer. The initiative is helping to expand nutrition, learning and employment services to more than 110,000 U.S. middle and high school students throughout the summer months.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is now offering free lunches for children at 20 locations, including two in Shoreline and one in Kenmore, thanks to support from both Walmart and United Way. For information on hours and eligibility, the public is asked to call 1-888-4-FOOD-WA or visit the website  

Shoreline/Northshore locations

• The Vineyard Church/Turning Point, 14800 1st Ave. NE
• Ronald Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Ave. N
• Kenmore Elementary

Additionally, the Y received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart State Giving Foundation to support its summer learning initiatives. The Y is known for summer programs such as day and overnight camp and quality afterschool child care and youth development programs during the school year. In recent years, the Y has expanded its summer academic programs to help youth transition from middle to high school and avoid summer learning loss, particularly those from low-income neighborhoods and for whom English is a second language. The Walmart grant will enable the Y to serve 160 middle and high school students over the summer.