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This year the YMCA distributed over 200,000 ready to eat meals at over 20 locations throughout metropolitan Detroit, serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The bundles included 4 lunches or suppers + 4 snacks. All meals came with low-fat milk and prioritize fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins and whole grains. Bundles also included take home activities like recipe cards, coloring pages, STEM activities and other fun things to engage children.
In addition, the Healthy Living Team hosted our annual Fresh Baskets, providing over 100 families and 40 seniors a weeks worth of meals for the holidays.
We are incredibly grateful to provide this essential service. We look forward to continuing to serve the community in 2021!
Our prepared meals program has ended for 2021. Look for our 2021 food distribution schedule by January 7, 2021
We will end the year with distributing groceries at the following locations:
| Date | Locations | Address | Time |
| December 29, 2020 | South Oakland Family YMCA | 1016 W 11 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, 48367 | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| December 29, 2020 | Birmingham Family YMCA | 400 E Lincoln St, Birmingham, 48009 | 03:00pm – 04:00pm |
| December 29, 2020 | Downriver Family YMCA | 16777 Northline Rd, Southgate, MI 48195 | 12:00pm – 01:00pm |
| December 30, 2020 | Farmington Family YMCA | 28100 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334 | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| December 30, 2020 | North Oakland Family YMCA | 3378 E Walton Blvd, Auburn Hills, 48326 | 03:00pm – 04:00pm |
| December 30, 2020 | YMCA Kitchen at Peaches and Greens | 8838 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 | 12:00pm – 01:00pm |
Learn more about how the YMCA is serving metro detroiters here: https://ymcadetroit.org/covid-19-community-impact-report/
ABOUT GRAB N’ GO MEALS
All meals are grab and go and ready to eat. Our meals include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and milk. Families may receive 1 meal bundle per child on each visit. This includes four lunches/dinners and four snacks, along with milk. Children do not need to be present. The Y does its best to fulfill the full quantity for each family, but adjustments may be made as a result of availability and demand. We are proud to announce March – May we distributed over 90,000 meals and look forward to continuing serving you and our communities.
This program is made possible by our partnership with the Michigan Department of Education, United Way of Southeast Michigan, public funding and a host of community partners/donors. We are all working together to provide healthy meals to school age youth up to age 18 and young adults with special needs up to age 26. Coordination of this work is ongoing. Please check our site daily for updates.
- Children do not have to be present on site for parents to take meals for them. We are going on the honor system when they tell us they have a child, 18 years or younger, that they will be taking the meals to.
- We can serve Breakfast and Lunch at the same time.
- Parents/Children can take up to 4 days worth of meals.
- Children do not have to eat their meals on site.
- All meals will be grab and go.
- Meals can be served directly from the delivery truck so families do not need to enter the YMCA.
YMCA COVID-19 Food Distribution Healthy Food Preparation and Distribution Process
The meals being distributed at YMCA food distribution sites come from two sources:
1. Unique Food Management located in Pontiac, Michigan
2. YMCA Healthy Living Kitchen housed at Peaches and Greens in Detroit, Michigan
Both sites adhere to all health department guidelines and all the food we distribute meets and exceeds nutritional requirements as prescribed by the USDA
In response to COVID-19 these are our elevated hygiene and sanitary practices:
Food Prep to promote community health
1. We are not allowing any workers who may be ill to prepare or serve food
2. All staff are required to wash their hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds before and after food preparation and at any food preparation breaks
3. All staff who prepare food have food handlers certifications and are also required to wear gloves when preparing meals
4. All food contact surfaces, commonly touched surfaces and other surfaces are cleaned before and after food prep using EPA COVID-19 approved cleaners
5. All food is pre-packaged when it leaves either facility
Food Distribution to help insure community member and staff health
1. Food is distributed prepackaged and handed out, outside, directly from sanitized storage containers
2. Encouraging staff to wear masks and gloves as supplies permit
3. Encouraging families to drive up to sites and the Y team will place food in the vehicle
4. Discouraging families from leaving their vehicle to receive food when possible
5. Families walking or riding bikes will still be served
6. Sanitizing van surfaces between uses