WS Chronicle

The Winston Lake Family YMCA has received a $10,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to increase efforts to feed kids enrolled in its after-school program. The Fulton, William G. White Jr. and Wilkes County YMCA branches received $10,000 Walmart Foundation grants for the same purpose.

According to the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, some branches will also use some of their grant funds to purchase refrigerators to better store healthier foods and serve meals and snacks throughout the 2012-2013 school year.

With the additional funding from the Walmart Foundation, the Y will serve more children through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which feeds school-aged children during the week, on weekends and during school vacations.

Nationally, more than 175 Y branches will supplement their learning enrichment programs with a food component, funded through CACFP, to their after-school programs and aim to serve three million meals and snacks.

The YMCA after-school programs promote creativity, a love for learning, social and emotional development and character building, while complementing lessons learned during the school day. The program includes daily homework assistance, enrichment activities, physical activity and a healthy snack.

“Some students, particularly those who receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch, may not know where their next meal will come from when the school day ends,” said Kim McClure, executive director of Childcare Services for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. “At the Y, we are committed to keeping kids nourished all year long. Thanks to the Walmart Foundation, our Y will be able to do more to address this issue.”