The YMCA's Youth Center Food Pantry at Lincoln Elementary is at a critically low levels heading into the holiday season.
As you may know, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo took on an important role in the Lincoln Elementary School neighborhood in Kalamazoo's Northside during COVID to provide families with daily meals. One of the long-term outcomes of this work was the creation of a food pantry (in partnership with Loaves and Fishes) which has helped to address the food-desert in neighorhood.
Every day, the Y staff at Lincoln ensures that as many as 40 youth go home with food and snacks to get them through the evening. This food pantry has reached a critical low. We need to fill the food pantry!
We need to raise a minimum of $3,000 by 12/15/2023 so families do not go without food over the holiday break. We are grateful to have secured a matching gift of $1,500. The Y hopes to raise the additional $1,500 through monetary or gift card donations to build the pantry up in time to send these youth home with meals over the Christmas break.
How you can help:
1. Give a gift card from the following stores:
Collecting gift cards allows us to maximize the impact of the gift and leverage a larger collection. It also enables us to buy according to our understanding of the nutritional needs of the child, as well as home situations, where meal-prep and cooking amenities may not an option.
Please consider dropping off a gift card to either of the Y (Maple or Portage) during the week of 12/10, or you can make a donation directly to the Y.
2. Donate online. Our safe online giving makes it easy and convenient to give.
Know that your gift is filling a very critical need.
