Pictured from left are Kristie Voty of the Chautauqua Sign Co.; Kain Kolstee of Ed Shults Ford; Ryan Kaczar of Jamestown Line-X; and John Barber of the YMCA. Submitted photo

Local businesses are helping the Jamestown Area YMCA make more meals available to children during the summer.

YMCA officials said many homes and families across the Chautauqua region struggle with bouts of food insecurity. According to the latest data, 12.4 percent of households are impacted which includes hundreds of local children. In 2018, the Jamestown YMCA provided 47,961 meals, 24,237 meal in summer; 23824 during the after school months to children 0-18 at locations including schools, parks, libraries, community spaces, local youth serving agencies and a church. The meals are free of charge to those in need or who were hungry.

Furthermore, the YMCA has expanded its operations and focuses its food program mission on availability.

“The Y began expanding its focus on childhood hunger in summer 2015 when we served a little over 7,800 meals at four sites,” said John Barber, YMCA operations director. “Since then, we have more than tripled the number of meals served and grown to include 14 sites.”

One of the keys to expanding the meal program is the availability of infrastructure including appliances and vehicles. The YMCA’s food program continues to grow as evident by the equipment it is currently using.

“To see how our meals have grown you can simply look at our vehicles used for delivery. Five years ago we filled a staff member’s station wagon with meals each day. Over the years we have had to add minivans and even spent a summer with coolers packed around the seats of a small bus. Thanks to some local businesses, we are grateful to have a dependable large van that is well suited for delivering a large volume of meals for years to come,” Barber said.

Some of the businesses recently gathered at the Eastside YMCA where the Y’s food programs are centered. The Cargill Corporation prioritizes charitable giving to address childhood hunger and education initiatives. For the last two years, Cargill’s financial support has allowed for expansion of summer meals and summer learning at Eastside YMCA’s Power Scholars Academy. Just before last summer, Kain Kolstee at Ed Shults Ford helped identify and arrange special pricing for a new delivery van that is now essential to the volume of meals delivered each day. At that same time, Ryan Kaczar and the team at Jamestown Line-X provided their special bed liner treatment to protect the floors and walls from the heavy use this van already endures. New for summer 2019, the YMCA van has been wrapped with fun images thanks to discounted work from Chautauqua Sign Co. The van is an investment that will allow the Y to sustain meal programming for years to come.

The community partnerships are an integral part of making the food program a success for the YMCA, Barber said.

“As we prepare for this summer we wanted to thank these businesses for their assistance in helping us end childhood hunger. Without local support our expansion would not be possible,” Barber said.

Preparations for another season of summer lunches are under way and YMCA officials said they anticipate providing even more meals. Local entities or community organizations interested obtaining information about federal food programs, providing resources or having the Y provide lunch or breakfast to youth at their location can reach out to Barber at the YMCA to inquire at 664-2802, ext. 230, or email jbarber@jamestownymca.org.