Starting this week, the Bath Area Family YMCA will begin delivering free meals to children and teens in the community as part of the organization’s summer food program.
From June 25 to August 20, on Tuesday and Thursday of each week, Y staff and volunteers will deliver prepared meals at 12 locations in the communities of Bath and Brunswick. Meals are provided free of charge and available to any child or teen from the surrounding communities. Parents may pick up meals for their children but must register in advance.
When the school year ends, children lose access to the free breakfasts and lunches now provided in Maine schools. This puts significant strain on families already struggling to make ends meet, especially given the rising cost of groceries. In Maine, nearly 1 in 5 children experience food insecurity, the second highest rate among New England states.
The Bath YMCA launched its mobile Veggie Van in the summer of 2020, delivering hundreds of meals to children in the RSU1 and West Bath school districts, and has continued to grow to meet the ever-increasing need. Last year, the program distributed over 16,000 summer meals to the community with the help of dozens of volunteers.
“Every child in our community deserves access to healthy and nutritious food,” said Jennifer Connelie, Food Program Coordinator at the Bath YMCA. “The reality is that food insecurity continues to grow in our community, and many families are facing impossible choices as grocery costs rise. Our summer meal program may be just one piece of the solution, but it can make a meaningful difference by ensuring children and teens have reliable access to meals when school is out.”
The Y’s summer meal program is made possible through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Midcoast Literacy, Merrymeeting Gleaners, and funding from Full Plates Full Potential.
Grab-and-go meals are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:
Bath Route (Tuesdays)
11:05am: Atlantic Townhouse Playground
11:20am: 570-590 Middle St.
11:30am: 19-29 Shaw St.
11:45am: Patten Free Library
12:05pm: Maritime Apartments
12:30pm: Corner of Denny Rd. & Bowman St.
12:45pm: Oak Grove Apts.
5:30pm: Bath YMCA
Brunswick Route (Thursdays)
11:10: Green Acres (West Bath)
11:20am: Bay Bridge Estates (by main office)
11:40am: Perryman Village
12:20pm: Old Gurnet Road (corner of Garrison and Heath)
12:35pm: Curtis Memorial Library
5:30pm: Landing YMCA