NEWS & UPDATES

Posted on: Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

Food Access – Feeding & Caring For All

Our Hockomock Area YMCA and our partners have served more than 420,000 grab and go meals to children and adults and 58,000 bags of groceries to people in need in our communities.

We are a proud partner of the Greater Boston Food Bank, dedicated to ensuring that no one in our community goes to bed hungry. To learn more, please contact foodaccess@hockymca.org or call 508-643-5277.

IF YOU ARE FACING FOOD INSECURITY, THE Y IS HERE TO HELP

Below is information on how the YMCA acts as an extension of the food pantry. Further down the page, you will also find details on how to volunteer and what pressing items we’re in need of from anyone who can donate. Food distribution is provided to all with no financial statements required.

** COMPLETE THIS INTAKE FORM FOR GROCERY BAGS **

FOOD DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS

Food insecurity has grown in our communities and to address that, the Y is distributing food to people in need. All that is required is the completion of this intake form.

DRIVE UP GROCERIES ARE PROVIDED EVERY WEDNESDAY AT THESE BRANCHES FROM 12:30pm – 2:00pm:

• at the Foxboro Y (67 Mechanic Street)
• at the Franklin Y (45 Forge Hill Road)
• at the North Attleboro Y (300 Elmwood Street)

Pop your trunk and we will place food in your car at the above times.

FUEL FOR THE WEEKEND PROGRAM

Our North Attleboro Y offers a Fuel for the Weekend program which provides weekend food bags for students (or children ages 3-18) to help fill the gap between school lunches on Fridays and school breakfast on Mondays. For more information, please email fuelfortheweekend@hockymca.org.

DONATE TO HELP US

We welcome donations including the following: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes.

Needed baby products include: size 4, 5 and 6 diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, and toddler puffs/snacks. All items can be dropped off in bins located inside the YMCA or for large donations please contact us if arranging a pickup is preferred. Click to see our food drive flyer

DONATE NOW

Other ways to help…

• Donate the amount needed to fill a family-sized bag of groceries. Each bag given to prevent hunger is valued at $50. Visit hockymca.org/give or text HOCKYMCA to 56651.
• Become a Volunteer – click to enroll.
• Run a food drive in your neighborhood. Take on the role of a “neighborhood captain” by adopting a street or neighborhood to mobilize a food collective drive. Select a pickup time a week or so in advance and ask neighbors to leave a bag or two of nonperishable food items outside their home or drop them at your residence — which you can bring to the Y.
• Donate by shopping online from our Amazon wish list, click here.
• Inquire about sponsorship opportunities by contacting Katie Moore at katiem@hockymca.org.

WE OFFER FREE SUMMER LUNCHES

Along with our many partners in our local communities, we offer free meals to kids ages 18 and under during the summer months at the following locations. This program is designed to help close the hunger gap children face during the summer and also includes activities, arts and crafts and special visitors throughout the summer. There is no sign up or registration required and the program is open to children in any community.

• MILFORD’S MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Monday through Friday from 11:00am-12:30pm. (12 Walnut Street in Milford, MA)
• THE FOXBORO Y: Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30am-12:30pm. (67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro, MA)
• NORTH ATTLEBORO’S TOWN POOL: Wednesday from 5:00pm-6:00pm. (43 S. Washington Street in North Attleboro, MA)

Includes an adult meal per family to enjoy while children enjoy their meals, too.