Food Programs at the Y

The YMCA of East Tennessee’s Summer Food Program serves children and families in rural East Tennessee communities throughout the summer. Children receive a week’s worth of meals, including 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 14 cartons of milk. Parents are able to pick up meals once a week at an elementary school or other convenient pick-up location in their community. Last summer, our Y served 92,000 meals for families at 3 sites.  This summer, we’re expanding to 10 sites, and we can’t wait to see the impact, which we anticipate will reach close to half a million meals for children in our local and surrounding communities.

Why It Matters:
During the school year, many families depend on school meals to help ensure their children receive enough to eat. When school is out for summer, it can be tough for families to feed 3 full meals at home. Rural communities sometimes lack the resources, full grocery stores, or well-stocked food banks to support these families, especially in the summer months.

Summer 2026 Locations:

• Mt. Olive Elementary: Mondays, May 25th – August 3rd, 9:00 – 10:30am
• Central Point Baptist Church: Mondays, May 25th – July 27th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
• Big Ridge Elementary: Tuesdays, May 26th – August 4th, 10:00 – 11:30am
• Union County High School: Tuesdays, May 26th – August 4th, 12:30-2:00pm
• Big Ridge State Park: Fridays, May 29th – August 7th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
• Luttrell Elementary: Wednesdays, May 27th – August 3rd, 10:00 – 11:30am
• Washburn School: Wednesdays, May 27th – July 29th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
• East Knox Elementary: Thursdays, May 28th – August 6th, 10:00 – 11:30am
• Rutledge Elementary: Thursdays, May 28th – July 30th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
• Copper Ridge Elementary: Fridays, May 29th – August 7th, 10:00 – 11:30am

Pre-Register to Receive Food!

Any and all families with a child 18 and under are welcome.  Please bring your child with you at pickup if possible! One-time pre-registration is requested so we know how many meals to prepare. Pre-register in one of 3 ways:

1. Click here and fill out a short form to pre-register, or
2. Text 865-973-4041, or
3. Email gro.nteacmyobfsctd-1506e1@doof

Get Involved:
Volunteers needed! It takes a lot of work to prep and deliver hundreds of thousands of food items over the course of a summer!  Volunteers may work in our warehouse in East Knoxville helping pack boxes, inventory and sort food, and load vans.  Volunteers may also work directly at our distribution sites all summer long!  Volunteers at our distribution sites should be able to lift 20 pounds, comfortable on their feet for extended periods of time, and able to work outdoors in the summer heat.  Distribution sites are listed above and are found throughout Knox, Union, Grainger, and Blount Counties.  If you’re ready to volunteer:

1. Click here to fill out a short, online form, or
2. Email gro.nteacmyobfsctd-6136db@doof to discuss volunteer opportunities.