Free Summer Meals for Kids Available from YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga Starting May 27. Meals provided on first-come, first-serve basis across Tennessee Valley
Chattanooga, Tenn. (May 23, 2025) - The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga
will begin its Free Summer Food Program for area kids starting May 27, and
CARTA is easily connecting families to those meals through the Read & Ride
program.
The YMCA program is designed to provide children up to 18 years of age with
the nutritional support they need to maintain good health and reach their
fullest potential. Meals are available to all children regardless of race,
color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Children across Bradley, Hamilton, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie counties, and
Walker and Catoosa counties in North Georgia are eligible to participate in
this first-come, first-serve meal program.
“We’re grateful to the YMCA for once again running the Free Summer Food
Program and to CARTA for connecting families to these food sites through
the Read & Ride program,” said Mayor Tim Kelly. “There are over 70
locations participating in the YMCA’s Free Summer Food Program between
Memorial Day and when kids go back to school in August. No child should
ever go hungry, which is why we encourage anyone needing meals for their
kids this summer to stop by and pick up food.”
City community centers, libraries, YMCA sites, community partner locations
and local schools are participating in the program. Specific dates, times,
locations, and what meals or snacks are available can be viewed online
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MWHZhBX2kfnp0H2M0-PhsNy6zezLUL-YpK6Dpt1EyrU/edit?gid=0#gid=0>.
The program will run through early August.
"We are excited about our continued partnership with the City of
Chattanooga, especially all of the library branches and community centers,”
said Paula Irwin, Executive Director of the J.A. Henry Community YMCA,
which is the non-profit’s branch that prepares, packs and delivers 300,000
meals annually to feed children. “With the Read & Ride program, we know
that many more families will have access to our summer food program sites
and be able to receive these meals and snacks for their children, providing
a really crucial resource for our Chattanooga neighbors.”
CARTA’s route map is available to view online
<https://platform.remix.com/project/93761db7?latlng=35.05446,-85.28937,10.781>
.
“The fare-free Read & Ride program supported by CARTA and the Chattanooga
Public Library is another way we’re connecting opportunities for residents
and supporting the YMCA for its Free Summer Food Program was a no-brainer,”
said Charles Frazier, Chief Executive Officer of CARTA.
The YMCA is also partnering with the city, Library and CARTA to provide
approximately 1,500 five-day passes to the YMCA for children enrolled in
Ride & Read.
About the Y:
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a leading nonprofit serving 45,000
members and program participants across Southeast Tennessee and North
Georgia. The Y has eight facilities, two preschool centers, 80 program
sites, 1,000 team members and a $25M annual operating budget. Its mission
is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build
healthy spirit, mind and body for all. For more info, visit
www.ymcachattanooga.org or ymca.org <http://www.ymca.org> or follow the Y
on social media: Facebook @ChattanoogaYMCA
<https://www.facebook.com/ChattanoogaYMCA>, Instagram @ymcachattanooga
<https://www.instagram.com/ymcachattanooga> or LinkedIn
@ymca-of-metropolitan-chattanooga
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/ymca-of-metropolitan-chattanooga>.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution
is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability,
age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to
obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American
Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that
administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)
877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a
Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be
obtained online at:
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf,
<https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf> from any
USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to
USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone
number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in
sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR)
about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The
completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email:Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
