Food Programs at the Y
Fighting Hunger. Feeding Hope.
At the YMCA of East Tennessee, we believe everyone deserves access to nutritious food and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their family won’t go hungry. Through our Food Programs, the Y helps meet essential needs in our community — serving families with children healthy meals and snacks year-round.
Summer Food Program
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 9 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, 10:00 – 11:30am
- Central Point Baptist Church: Mondays, May 25th – July 27th, 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Union County High School: Tuesdays, May 26th – August 4th, 12:30-2:00pm
- Luttrell Elementary: Wednesdays, May 27th – August 5th, 10:00 – 11:30am
- Washburn School: Wednesdays, May 27th – August 5th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
- East Knox Elementary: Thursdays, May 28th – August 6th, 10:00 – 11:30am
- Rutledge Elementary: Thursdays, May 28th – August 6th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
- Copper Ridge Elementary: Fridays, May 29th – July 31st, 10:00 – 11:30am
- Big Ridge State Park: Fridays, May 29th – July 31st, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Pre-Register to Receive Food!
Our Summer Food Program will re-launch in 2027. The link to pre-register will be available beginning February 1st, 2027.
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.
Get Involved:
Our Summer Food Program will re-launch in 2027. The link to volunteer will be available beginning February 1st, 2027.
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.
YMCA After School Super Supper
The YMCA of East Tennessee recognizes that food insecurity affects families year-round, not just during the summer months. At eight Knox County schools serving some of our community’s most vulnerable families, the Y has expanded its after-school snack program into a full “Super Supper.” These packaged meals include all five USDA meal components; a grain, meat or meat alternative, fruit, vegetable, and milk. With this Super Supper in place of standard snack time, the Y ensures that more than 300 children in our Y After School Program can focus on learning, playing, and making friends, rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Super Supper Meals are available to children in select YMCA After School programs. Summer Food Program meals are available to anyone with a child under the age of 18. A one-time sign-up will be available at the beginning of the summer. Families may sign up or join the Summer Food Program at any point throughout the summer.
In 2026, we will have summer pickup sites at Mt. Olive Elementary, Central Point Baptist Church, Big Ridge Elementary, Union County High School, Big Ridge State Park, Luttrell Elementary, Washburn School, East Knox Elementary, Rutledge Elementary, and Copper Ridge Elementary.
Yes! Volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome to help pack, serve, and distribute meals.
Yes. The YMCA of East Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
