YMCA now accepting perishable items for summer food program [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – YMCA of Greater Birmingham is expanding their storage solutions to better serve children in our area.

All seven locations are getting a brand new refrigerator and freezer to hold more nutritious food.

A representative for the YMCA says one in four children will experience food insecurity this summer. Because some of those kids rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year, the summer break can leave them hungry.

That’s why they’re introducing the Free Mobile Summer Food Program.

While they’ve been asking for donations of non-perishable food items, the brand new fridge and freezer at each location allows them to expand to perishable food items as well.

Alabaster YMCA Executive Director Kristin Canan says this includes single serve fruits like bananas, apples, oranges, but veggies and sandwich items too like bread, lunch meats and cheeses.

Canan says nourishment is important to keep these kids’ brains and bodies growing.

“We really …