KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — When First Coast YMCA staff members arrived to Mission of the Dirt Road on Thursday, July 9, there were already people waiting to meet with them.
More than 200 families arrived expecting assistance and care. And what they received was all that and then some.
As a part of the First Coast YMCA'S 10-week Summer Food Service Program, more than 242 boxes of meals were distributed to children and families in need. The summer initiative acts as a way to close the hunger gap across the First Coast.
"We want to make sure to get rid of any barriers that might be there for families that need food this summer," said Kyle Vinduska, First Coast YMCA's Associate Executive Director of Grants and Administration.
In a partnership with the state and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that began last year, children 18 and younger are invited to visit one of various site locations each week for a grab-and-go style meal that includes seven breakfasts, seven lunches and 14 milks for off-site consumption.
Eligible distribution sites are classified as rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Vinduska said.
According to No Kid Hungry, one in five children in America live with hunger, and 74% of rural families living on low incomes run out of food before they have money to buy more.
Vinduska said that since a lot of children gain access to their meals during the traditional school day, it's important to have resources available during the summertime.
"The YMCA wants to make sure, through our anti-hunger initiative, that all children have access to meals when school is not in session," Vinduska said. "We want to make sure that everyone is taken care of."
Unlike a typical food distribution site, Vinduska said the program is unique in its ability to allow families to pick up several meals in bulk.
"This is a nice [way] they can get a meal for a week and take it with them," he said.
In partnering with No Kid Hungry, Vinduska said this year they were also able to purchase a vehicle to help further meet the demand and deliver food each week.
"We've definitely grown since the first week, so that really has helped us continue the process," he said.
Distributions take place in six locations across Northeast Florida, with three locations in Clay. Mission of the Dirt Road, 7790 State Road 100, is every Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m; the Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 State Road 16, is on Thursdays from 2-4 p.m.; and the Clay County Regional Sports Complex, 4725 Victory Lane, is on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon.
During Thursday's event, children were also able to participate in activities while receiving their meals. Additionally, the Clay County Health Department gave away 28 bike helmets, and Mission of the Dirt Road also gave away groceries to 56 families.
"We're just excited that we're able to impact all of these families. We know there's a need and we're just excited to be able to fill that gap within our community," Vinduska said.
