THOMASVILLE- The YMCA has been providing breakfast and lunch to children during the summer for over a decade thanks to a grant from the USDA. 

Administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, YMCA volunteers are able to set up across Thomas County to ensure Thomasville’s children have free access to nutritious meals and snacks when school is out for the summer. 

According to YMCA Thomasville CEO Tom Everett, the goal is to fill the gap that occurs during the summer months. 

“There’s a lot of children who don’t have access to food,” he explained. “These kids are used to at least two meals a day from school, so this program provides that to kids who would normally count on the school system.” 

In order to ensure every kid has an opportunity to get a healthy meal, sites are chosen across Thomas County where there are high concentrations of kids, resulting in over 35 sites. 

Kids ages 18 and younger can visit Harper Elementary, the Butler-Mason YMCA, the Weston YMCA, Thomasville High School, Villa North, Cross Creek Elementary, Garrison Pilcher Elementary, Hand-in-Hand Primary, Scott Elementary, Thomas County Central High School, McIntyre Park Middle School, Mt. Sinai, The Renaissance School, Balfour, Boston Center on Johnson Street, Barwick Central Park, Flipper Homes, Faircloth Housing, Francis Weston Park, Meigs Community Center, Pavo Community Center, Ochlocknee City Park, Rivers of Life, Best for Guest, Cherokee Apartments, North Crawford St. City Park, Circle “C” Mobile Home Park, Thy Kingdom Come Ministries, Wright St. Grocery, Wood Valley Apartments, Coolidge Community Association, Market Station, Worldwide Ministries of Christ or Thomas County Middle School for a meal. 

On Wednesday, TCMS Principal Clay Stanaland worked with volunteers to help feed kids enrolled in TCMS Summer School. 

Stanaland said on average they feed 100 students at their site, but work with the YMCA and their nutrition director, when other kids may be at the school due to summer camps. 

“They bring the meals here to our site, but we have to send a calendar, especially if we have summer school or camps going on to say how many people will be on campus on a specified date,” Stanaland said. 

No matter the number of kids, all are treated to an equally healthy meal. 

YMCA volunteer Anna Brinson said all meals include a veggie, milk, fruit and a grain, such as sandwiches or pizza. 

Brinson has been volunteering with the YMCA for nearly 10 years and said this program is special to her, because she sees how many kids it helps and has an impact on. 

“It’s great, because it gives them (the kids) a chance to have some nutrition and some food to eat,” she said. “Without that, a lot of kids wouldn’t have anything to eat. They are helping the kids a lot.” 

Stanaland agreed with Brinson, explaining food insecurity is a serious issue in Thomas County. 

“You would be surprised during the school year how many kids take their leftovers from breakfast and lunch and put it in their backpack,” he said. “It’s a need in Thomas County.” 

Everett estimated 75,000-100,000 meals are passed out each summer during the feeding program. He expects the number to rise this year, as the state has approved the sites to become grab and go. 

Previously, the state required the kids who were getting the meal to eat it at the premises, in order to ensure the meal didn’t fall out of the bag or get taken on the way home, leaving the child still hungry. 

However, Everett believes this led to some parents being uncomfortable sending their children to a location. 

“I think having the meals grab and go is going to ensure more kids have access to meals,” he assured. 

The Happy Helpings food program will last through July 21, 2023, serving both breakfast and lunch. 

Breakfast and lunch hours at each location vary; please check with the location prior to picking up a grab and go meal. 

For questions or more information on the locations, contact Cindy Quigg at 229-226-3446.