Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is partnering with The Sheridan Story and John W. Mooty Foundation to provide free, nourishing food to families in the community to ensure youth have food during the winter break.
From December 21, 2019 through January 5, 2020, families can stop by the front desk at any YMCA of the North location, several Minneapolis Parks locations and other partner locations and ask for a free bag of food. Membership is not required at any partner location. Supplies are limited.
“We are grateful to partner with The Sheridan Story and John W. Mooty Foundation to ensure all of our families in our community have access to food during winter break and no child goes hungry,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “The YMCA is committed to working with community partners to address the more than 200,000 children in Minnesota who live with food insecurity by providing education, access and support.”
“Many children don’t look forward to winter break because they don’t have enough food at home,” said Rob Williams, executive director of The Sheridan Story. “In fact, more than 15 percent of the children in Minnesota face empty kitchen cupboards. We are fortunate to partner with two great organizations to close the winter break food gap.”
“The John W. Mooty Foundation loves to bring outstanding organizations together to address significant community issues,” said Bruce Mooty, a trustee of the John W. Mooty Foundation. “The YMCA and The Sheridan Story are two stellar organizations which are having a profound impact in nurturing, developing and feeding youth in our community. We are thrilled to collaborate with them to provide much needed food to kids and their families, while schools are closed during this winter break.”
For more information and to see all food distribution locations, visit www.thesheridanstory.org/winter-break/
WHO: The YMCA of the North, The Sheridan Story and John W. Mooty Foundation
WHAT: To ensure youth and their families have nutritious food during the winter break, the community can get a free bag of food while supplies last.
WHERE: Ask at the front desk of any YMCA of the North, several Minneapolis Parks locations or other partner locations for the bag of food.
WHEN: December 21, 2019 – January 5, 2020 at 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please check www.thesheridanstory.org/winter-break/ for specific hours for each location.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 163 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.
About the John W. Mooty Foundation
The John W. Mooty Foundation supports a variety of educational, medical, youth development, housing, wellbeing, spiritual and other community initiatives. The Foundation is dedicated to fostering collaboration and helping community members realize their potential.
About The Sheridan Story
Every child. Every meal. Over 200,000 children in Minnesota live in food insecurity – they don’t always know if they’ll have food for their next meal. In order to fight this devastating reality, The Sheridan Story focuses on the food gaps, the times throughout the year when children aren’t able to receive free and reduced meal programs at school. In the last six years, The Sheridan Story has grown from serving one school with a weekend food program to implementing multiple food gap programs serving some 10,000 children across over 275 locations. To learn more visit www.thesheridanstory.org.