Fighting Hunger Together
YMCA of the USA and the Wal-Mart Foundation Award $20,000 to the YMCA of Dane County, Inc. to Provide Healthy Meals
Madison, WI -- Combining academics and nutrition, the Y is offering an Afterschool Meal Program to provide children with nutrition and academic enrichment activities so they can be healthy and succeed in school.
Thanks to a partnership with YMCA of the USA and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the YMCA of Dane County has received a generous grant of $20,000 to ensure children have access to meals during out-of-school time, when they need them most.
"The YMCA of Dane County is committed to educating the community about healthy living," said Carrie Wall, President/CEO YMCA of Dane County, Inc. "Unfortunately, not all children in our community live in "food secure" households. The YMCA's participation in the After School Meal Program will further our commitment to ensuring that all children in Dane County have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive," said Wall.
The Wal-Mart After School Meal Program grant will provide support to the YMCA to enhance its involvement in the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Currently, Y child care programs participate in the CACFP program during school time in its preschool programs. This funding will allow the Y to serve food to children after school in its School Aged Child Care program as well as increase education about healthy nutrition.
Y School Age Child Care programs promote a love for learning, social and emotional development, and character and creativity. In the Dane County Y's afterschool program, youth receive a combination of free choice and structured activities. The expanded curriculum includes arts and crafts, science, health & wellness, homework support, literacy, character development and conflict resolution. All programs promote the four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.
"It is our goal that all participants, regardless of socioeconomic status, have a vast variety of unique experiences and opportunities that lead them to living a physically, emotionally and intellectually healthy life," said Wall. "This new funding will allow us to provide healthy meals to the community that will help improve children's health, fight obesity, and reduce learning loss."
For more information about the Y and afterschool programming, click here.
