The YMCA of Western North Carolina including the one in Hendersonville celebrates National Nutrition Month every day by providing access to free, healthy food to thousands of families in Western North Carolina.
"It means I don't have to worry about our fridge being empty when we run out of money for the week. It is like an extra security blanket," said Kara Girard, a participant in the YMCA's nutrition outreach program.
More than 1.6 million North Carolinians lack reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. The Y is working hard to improve this social determinant of health and to increase food security in the region.
"For instance, we have partnered with several clinics and medical professionals that are now screening for food insecurity and referring those patients that screen 'positive' to our mobile produce markets and nutrition education," said Cory Jackson, nutrition and wellness director at the YMCA of WNC.
The Y operates 32 Healthy Living Mobile Market sites each month in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and McDowell counties. There's no charge to participate, and the Y doesn't question anyone about their need.
Participants can help themselves to fresh, healthy produce that's donated by local grocery stores, restaurants, and other partners. Occasionally meat products such as frozen turkey and fresh venison are also available.
"A lot of elderly people, they're on a fixed income and only get $15 for food stamps and they need these veggies," said program participant Deborah Patton.
The Y also provides free Saturday meals to anyone age 18 and under at the Ferguson Family Y in Candler and the Corpening Memorial Y in Marion.
"The Y is known for doing so many good things for local communities. I wasn't surprised because I was like, of course it's the Y," said Girard.
As a nonprofit, the Y would not be able to fulfill this mission without generous funding partners and community donors. Starting May 1, the Saturday meals in Marion will be open to all ages thanks to a recent McDowell Endowment grant from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC). This is the second grant the CFWNC has awarded the Y in recent weeks for its nutrition work. The Y also received a $40,000 focus area grant to purchase a new box truck for its Healthy Living Mobile Market.
"With the addition of a new vehicle, we will be able to help improve the health of families through nutritious food and education for years to come," said Jackson.
For more information on the YMCA of WNC Nutrition Outreach program, visit https://ymcawnc.org/nutrition.
To donate to any of the YMCA of WNC community initiatives, including nutrition outreach, visit https://www.ymcawnc.org/give.
