A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

HUNGRY FOR CHANGE: THE Y'S FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY

Robert and Cheryl heard the YMCA needed volunteers to help pass out free food boxes to kids in Clarksville, TN, so they showed up to lend a hand. Then they showed up the next week and the next.

This summer, Robert and Cheryl stood outside with Y staff for hours, in all kinds of weather, loading thousands of meals into cars in a school parking lot. Along with the food, Cheryl gave away hugs and lollipops to the kids as they waited their turn. It was hot, physically demanding work, so when I asked the couple why they decided to pitch in each week, their answer was simple.

"Kids are hungry in our community."

The Y recognizes the urgency of this situation throughout the Mid-South and is rolling up its sleeves to do something about it.

Over 10 weeks, the YMCA's rural bulk food program distributed more than 2.2 million meals at 48 sites throughout Tennessee and Mississippi. That's 2.5 million pounds of food served, or the equivalent in weight to 102 full-size school buses.

At one North Mississippi location, the crowd was so big that the line for food wrapped around a church parking lot and down the street. A grandmother was there to get meals for the seven grandchildren she was keeping during school break. In a West Tennessee town, a mom desperate to feed her kids, walked for miles to pick up food boxes.

While each person's story is different, the needs are all the same. Food insecurity is real and as the cost of living rises, families are feeling the squeeze to give their kids the nutrition they need to be healthy.

Tackling hunger issues is not an easy feat, but one the YMCA believes is worth the effort. The coordination it takes to facilitate a food operation of this scale is challenging. The logistics alone are mind-boggling.

It takes warehouses and forklifts and big box trucks to move food. It takes a team of nutrition staff, the marketing department and program directors to organize the weekly give away events. It takes an enormous amount of sweat and muscle to load cars and fill out paperwork. But most of all, it takes community volunteers, like Robert and Cheryl, who jump in to show love to their neighbors.

The YMCA is planning to expand the program's impact by adding dozens of meal sites next summer. Until then, it will continue providing more than 40,000 meals per week as part of its year-long food initiative.

With the support of donors like you, we can help reduce hunger in our community one bite at a time.

Hope Sneed

Making Waves at the 2nd Annual Lifeguard Olympics

YMCA Lifeguard Olympics, presented by Easy Divers, brought together lifeguard teams from YMCA centers across Memphis & the Mid-South for a day of competition, training, and recognition.

More than just a friendly competition, this event highlights the essential work our lifeguards do every day - keeping members and guests safe and teaching vital water safety skills. Through timed rescues, team relays, and real-world scenarios, lifeguard demonstrated their training, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.

Congratulations to the Olive Branch Family YMCA for taking home the trophy as this year's top lifeguard team! The Millington Family YMCA secured second place, with Bartlett YMCA coming in third.