The YMCA of Hunger Prevention Programs plays an important role in fighting food insecurity for people living in Greater Boston. Every day we partner with others to provide nutritious, culturally appropriate meals to children and families to end hunger for the most vulnerable among us.
Below are some resources for you or to share:
Find a Food Pantry Near You: Greater Boston Food Bank
Visit the YMCA’s Mobile Market – 29 site visits in November
YMCA Grocery Bag Distribution Sites – 15 sites a month
Neighborhood Food Resources: Vital Connections Food Resource Guide
Senior Nutrition Programs
Call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline for help: (800) 645-8333
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–7pm | Sat 10am–2pm
Donate to the Y’s Hunger Prevention Program
Total Partner Investment from the City of Boston, Mass General Brigham (MGB), The Greater Boston Food Bank and Liberty Mutual: $5.3 million
The Y’s Hunger Prevention program now operates from a new 26,700 sq. ft. warehouse in Roxbury, featuring large-scale refrigeration and storage. This centralized hub expands our capacity to source, store, and distribute fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. Located near the Greater Boston Food Bank, local neighborhoods, and major highways, it streamlines rescued food distribution and strengthens the city’s food access network.
Food Security Initiatives
Watch this video to learn more about how the YMCA is Supporting Food Security.
YMCA Mobile Market
Watch this video to learn more about how the YMCA is Supporting Food Security.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a nutrition program that gives you money for food. Previously known as food stamps, eligible individuals receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and farmers markets.
Want to know if you are eligible?
If you are interested in SNAP or wondering if you are eligible, email [email protected].
Need help with the recertification process?
If you need to recertify your SNAP enrollment, we can also help. Email [email protected].
All children, but especially your youngest, cannot learn, grow, or thrive when hungry. Our year-round and after school food programs make sure all children have access to nutritious foods while in our care.
The YMCA of Greater Boston is an active participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as a sponsor for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Nutrition.
The YMCA of Greater Boston’s Families in Transition (FIT) housing shelter participates in the CACFP program and after school programs.
CACFP YMCA Early Education centers include:
When school doors close for the summer, the Y opens its doors wider and works with the City of Boston and other partners to make sure all children have access to nutritious meals all Summer long. This program is active June through August only.
To learn more about our Hunger Prevention Programs, contact Eilisha Manandhar at [email protected] or 617-433-7532.
The SNAP-Ed program provides nutrition and physical activity education and other valuable resources to youth and adults who receive or are eligible for SNAP benefits. SNAP-Ed’s goal is to help SNAP-eligible individuals make nutritious food choices on a limited budget and choose a physically active lifestyle. Our SNAP-Ed team offers education lessons at community partner sites, YMCA after school programs, and Early Education Centers. Administered lessons focus on topics such as reading food labels, eating local, healthy substitutions, and increasing physical activity. Activities for SNAP-Ed include food preparation demonstrations, cooking classes, recipe cards, taste tests, and physical activity routines.
