SAUGUS — The YMCA has an ongoing partnership with Project Bread, providing families and children with free meals for its Summer Eats program.
Rosa Robles, the director of social responsibility for the YMCA’s Metro North branches, said that she helps to serve the town free meals for those 18 years old and younger.
While the YMCA’s partnership with Project Bread is nothing new, the initiative only started to include the Saugus Family YMCA three years ago.
“I love seeing the families come in, and they’re grateful for it. You’re able to provide that service for families who need it,” Robles said. “It just opens up my heart.”
Robles said that the amount of meals provided at the Saugus Family YMCA has been steadily increasing, and it currently serves around 70 meals per day.
She is optimistic that growth will continue in the other communities that are served by the program as well, saying that they are “one big family.”
Robles works at the Demakes Family YMCA in Lynn. She said that sometimes there are lines for the meals.
She said that the pre-cooked meals are provided by Genuine Food out of Boston, and they are reheated and ready to serve on Mondays through Fridays.
“It’s good, hot meals… all fresh fruits, apples, yogurts, the cereal is good. It’s the Cocoa Puffs they like, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch. So, it’s kid-friendly for them to actually want the meals, compared to what the kids are served during the school year,” Robles said.
Among all of the sites at the YMCA Metro North locations, Robles said that 1,200 to 1,400 meals are served per day.
Robles said that the program offers an important service to the community, as some families might not be able to qualify for government assistance programs due to their thresholds.
“There’s no wiggle room,” Robles said. “I’m glad that we’re able to give this service right now to help families.”
YMCA Metro North serves breakfast and lunch at the following locations on Mondays through Fridays, unless noted otherwise:
Lynn:
Demakes Family YMCA: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Neptune Towers YMCA: 1 – 1:45 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays
Curwin Circle YMCA: 12 – 12:45 p.m., Tuedays through Thursdays
Saugus:
Saugus Family YMCA: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
