The Battle Creek Family YMCA may not be serving up its traditional fitness options this summer, but the organization has found other ways to contribute to community needs.

In partnership with United Way BCKR and with funding support from Kellogg Company and its charitable funds, the YMCA channeled its staff and volunteer capacity into serving up hot meals for low-income children and families this summer.

“It’s been amazing,” said Jill Hinde, CEO of the Battle Creek Family YMCA. “To me, the silver lining of these past four months is being able to help so many people. They’re just grateful. Helping others is what’s sustaining us right now.”

Kellogg’s support for the program was part of a $31,000 donation to United Way to aid summer hunger relief efforts. Funding also went to Charitable Union to help supplement its existing Gap Nutrition program for infants.

“More than half of the babies born in our community are born into poverty, and COVID-19 is only compounding their current needs,” said Teresa Allen, CEO of Charitable Union. “We want the very best for every baby in our community. We know that if they are malnourished in the first 12 months, it impacts their future development.”

The program provides formula while the baby awaits an initial WIC appointment, and can provide a monthly supplement to babies once they are on WIC. WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a supplemental feeding program that requires families to purchase formula monthly, something food insecure families are not able to do, said Allen. This program is available to Calhoun County residents six days a week.

“Many local nonprofits are seeing unprecedented need in the community right now, particularly around access to food,” said Laurel Clark, Associate Director of Community Impact for United Way BCKR. “Kellogg’s support means that more children and more families in Battle Creek are being fed. Getting that basic need met is crucial as we partner to address other challenges facing families.”

“Feeding children in need has been especially challenging this summer, because there is no standard model in place for getting meals to kids in communities due to the pandemic,” says Stephanie Slingerland, Kellogg Company’s Senior Director of Philanthropy and Social Impact. “We commend United Way and its partners for their agility in identifying solutions that can best support the community.”

At the YMCA, staff and volunteers distribute 100 hot meals prepared by Catering by Chef Cherry each Tuesday and Thursday. They deliver about 25 of those meals to low-income families without transportation, and the rest are available for pickup to others in need on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 5 p.m. at the YMCA’s Multi-Sports Complex. Meals are generally kid-friendly and nutritionally balanced, with entrees such as spaghetti and baked chicken.

The program, which evolved out of an earlier effort to provide food to families involved in the Y’s Midnight Basketball program, wouldn’t be possible without the support and partnership from Kellogg and United Way, Hinde said.

“We didn’t have funding to continue,” she said. “So it’s really great to see a program that is able to leverage additional support.”

In addition to the food distribution, the YMCA’s charitable initiatives also include diaper distribution and child care in collaboration with other partners such as Charitable Union, the Battle Creek Diaper Initiative and Calhoun Intermediate School District.

“It’s been a challenging time for everyone,” said Hinde. “But it’s been humbling and gratifying to see the community come together to help others. We’re really grateful for the support.”