PERSPECTIVES Meals to underserved NRV kids “Our anti-hunger initiative [provided the following] numbers from the program since April 2020,” says Laureen Blakemore, getting right to the point with results. She’s the director of community engagement at YMCA at Virginia Tech; and she’s talking about “Meals On Main.” • Total number of shelf stable meals distributed in 2020: 31,548 • Total number of fresh meals served from Millstone Kitchen: 2,600 • Total number of children served in 2020: 7,452 On April 6, 2020, the YMCA at VT introduced “Meals On Main” in direct response to the COVID-19 crisis. The YMCA at Virginia Tech, in conjunction with Feeding Southwest Virginia and the USDA, provides food five days a week to ALL youth in the New River Valley. The meals and snacks are shelf-stable, ready to eat items based upon the USDA’s nutrition guidelines. Recently, the Y re-organized its food-access activities into the Meals On Main program. Meals On Main is an extension of an ongoing service which the YMCA at Virginia Tech has been offering for the past few years. It’s an active partner in the Prices Fork after school feeding initiative; and nearly three years ago, created a Mobile/Pop-Up Feeding Program bringing food to children under 18 in a variety of underserved areas within the community throughout the summer months.
Meals On Main’s Laureen Blakemore (foreground), Jim Lawrence (left) and volunteers
Good Work Executive Summary: Meals on Main provides food to youth in the New River Valley.
Y volunteers and staff members supervise the program from a short distance away, reducing the possibility of exposure and increasing the safety of everyone involved. Through the Meals On Main initiative, the YMCA at Virginia Tech hopes to help relieve some of the pressure faced by families due to the current pandemic. “We are grateful to have support from local restaurants, including Blacksburg Bagels, Next Door Bake Shop, Avellinos, Millstone Kitchen, Blacksburg Farmers Market and Souper Hero, in addition to generous donations from Green Valley Builders, the Town of Blacksburg and community members to make fresh meals and treats available,” says Blakemore. The program seeks volunteers; more information is available at www.vtymca.org
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