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SUMMIT AREA YMCA

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SUMMIT AREA YMCA

Family Packs Program

Just putting three meals a day on the table was a struggle for millions of people in the U.S. last year. That’s the sobering conclusion of a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which found hunger in the U.S. rose sharply in 2022. The report found that 44.2 million people lived in households that had difficulty getting enough food to feed everyone in 2022, up from 33.8 million people the year prior. Those families include more than 13 million children experiencing food insecurity, a jump of nearly 45 percent from 2021..

The Family Packs Program – originally operated throughout the school year, now runs every other week for those who need our help. The Summit Area YMCA partners with local organizations like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to run The Family Packs Program, which distributes food for supplemental meals every week to local families and children.

Every week, Summit Area YMCA volunteers serve as drivers to deliver the fresh and shelf-stable food to designated schools and families in the Summit area. These dedicated volunteers come to the Summit YMCA to collect the food before making their deliveries to the Summit schools. Once at the schools, teachers and school staff discreetly place the packages in the backpacks of students enrolled in the program, most of whom receive free or reduced-priced school meals during the school week but may not have access to food over the weekend. This initiative ensures that these students have the necessary sustenance even when school is not in session.


BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are needed every Thursday morning to pick up food from the Community FoodBank of NJ in Hillside and deliver to designated Summit Schools.

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FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FAP)

As part of our mission, the Summit Area YMCA (SAY) partners with local organizations to supply food to families and community members in order to provide support and inspiring action in our community. With our dedicated staff, volunteers, and local partners, the SAY donates fresh and nonperishable food at least twice a month to local community members in the Summit area who have stressed the financial need for essential food and supplies.

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If you would like to bring our attention to any under-served needs within our community, causes you support or get involved by becoming a community partner or volunteer, please fill out the form below.

YMCA NEWS

SUMMIT AREA YMCA

BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA

In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men’s Christian Association, but today, we are The Y; an association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.

Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.

Please note that the Hurst Pool at the Summit YMCA will be closed on Sunday, March 31, 2024 and will reopen on Monday, April 8, 2024 due to regularly scheduled maintenance. Group Ex Pro will reflect amended aquatics schedules.