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By JERRETT POSEY/ Intern

The YMCA of Chilton County is participating in the YMCA of the USA’s Summer Food Service Program to help feed children and teens at risk of going hungry during the summer months. Meals will be provided to all eligible children free of charge. They will start providing meals on June 7 and continue until August 6. The meals will be given out at the YMCA building and the Clanton City Pool, and they will have at least one more location still to be announced, Michelle Perrin of the Chilton County YMCA said.

The Summer Food Service Program’s goal is to help make sure that all youth age 18 and under have nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. One out of six children in the U.S. struggle with food insecurity, according to the National YMCA website, and without schools providing lunches many of those children are at risk to go hungry during the summer break. This is especially true for those youth that are on free or reduced lunches. That is where the YMCA of the USA’s Summer Food Service Program comes in, to help provide those youth with nutritious meals.

“Children who are a part of households that receive foods stamps, or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service,” according to a YMCA press release.

For more information about the program, times and qualifications to participate you can call them at 205-755-2382, visit them at 405 Ollie Avenue, Clanton, AL 35045 or email them at ChiltonCountyYMCA@gmail.com.