Project Bread and YMCA Cape Cod feed low-income students

As food insecurity rises sharply due to COVID-19, many families across the state are looking for additional resources to access food. In Massachusetts, 1 in 5 children are now experiencing food insecurity, nearly doubling pre-pandemic numbers. Federal unemployment benefits are also due to expire soon, leaving many communities worried about an influx of families looking for support. Project Bread, in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is leveraging decades of experience with federal nutrition programs and school and summer meals in particular, to support community partners and school districts serving grab & go meals at more than 800 meal sites throughout the state.

In the spring, in the midst of this unprecedented crisis, meal providers began pivoting their programs to ensure students and families had continued access to meals. In the towns of Hyannis, Sandwich, Falmouth, Barnstable and West Barnstable, the YMCA Cape Cod has served more than 175 children per day between the organization’s six sites.

“Every day, I am onsite and see the thrill and gratitude from children and families firsthand,” says Barbara Burgo, Food Service Coordinator for the YMCA Cape Cod. “I would like to keep that going. We will remain open through the end of August and will work to continue feeding children into the fall if schools are closed.”

Locally, there are four meal sites where packaged meals are provided in a family grab and go style outside. Employees wear masks and maintain a proper safe social distance.

• Cromwell Court, 168 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA 02601, Meals served M-F, 11:30-12:30pm
• Founders Court, 979 Falmouth Road, Hyannis, MA 02601, Meals served M-F, 11:30 – 12:00pm
• Kimber Woods, 2239 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668, Meals served M-F, 12:15 – 12:45
• Camp 132, 2245 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable MA, 02668, Meals served M-F, 12-1pm

Any child 18 and under can receive a meal and no registration or ID is required. Additional meal sites across the state can be found at www.meals4kids.org/summer. There are currently more than 800 statewide locations for families to access meals.

As the Commonwealth adjusts to COVID-19 restrictions, Project Bread and critical partners like YMCA Cape Cod are quickly adapting existing programs and innovating to ensure children and families can continue accessing needed resources in the context of a global pandemic. There is no one-size-fits-all meals model during a public health crisis. In that context, Project Bread provides school districts with essential resources, expertise, grants and technical assistance.

“We know firsthand how important these meals are to so many families trying to stay healthy right now, so we are constantly optimizing –evaluating gaps and barriers and adapting as we go,” says Erin McAleer, President of Project Bread. Some communities offer “drive-up meals” to families through car windows to reduce exposure, others use bus routes to drop meals close to students’ homes.

Project Bread is the central hub, connecting people to available food resources. Requests for assistance are met with compassionate and personalized support by Project Bread’s Food Source hotline. Counselors connect people to a wide range of food resources such as SNAP (formerly food stamps), food pantries, meal sites, and more.

“We’re looking at unprecedented demand in the coming weeks and months, so scale and efficiency are essential,” McAleer explains. Even now, these meal sites achieve both. Free to-go meals are available at more than 800 meal sites to youth 18 and under across Massachusetts. “We’re seeing communities, legislators, school districts, families, and government agencies come together in new ways. Collaboration and agility are paramount to effective crisis response and I think everyone involved understands how high the stakes are now.”

Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline (1-800-645-8333) operates Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Assistance is offered in 160 languages and a dedicated line is available to those who are hearing impaired. The most up to date meal site information is available through the hotline or at www.projectbread.org/covid19. Strict safety protocols and best practices for social distancing are being closely adhered to across distribution models and locations for maximum safety. No registration or ID is required to receive a meal. The nonprofit’s COVID-19 Resources pages in English and Spanish.

About Project Bread

Project Bread is the leading statewide anti-hunger organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses on driving systemic change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.

###