Youth Food Programs

The Y believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We serve nutritious meals to children to improve their health and help them reach their full potential.

SUMMER & YEAR-ROUND FOOD PROGRAMS

In 2025, we prepared and served 417,309 healthy meals across 80 sites in Chattanooga, Cleveland and North Georgia.

Meals are FREE to all children and teens ages 1-18 years old. We're always in need of volunteers to help prepare, pack and deliver meals.

We provide meals to children in our care at our YMCA sites and work with partners to provide meals and snacks to children in our community. By promoting the role of nutrition in physical, mental and social health, we help young people develop positive food attitudes and eating behaviors. Find a location near you.

Questions about J.A. Henry's Food Program? Contact Rowen Smith

Free Meal Pickup Sites:

NOTICE - July 31, 2026: Aug. 3-7 is the last week of our summer meal program in rural Bradley County. We're distributing meal boxes, with 14 breakfasts and 14 lunches at the following sites only:

Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, from 12-2 PM: Charleston Elementary School, 8797 Hiwassee St NW, Charleston, TN, 37310
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, from 1-3 PM: Lake Forest Middle School, 610 Kile Lake Rd SE, Cleveland, TN, 37323
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, from 1-3 PM: Taylor Elementary, 5265 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323

Tennessee: The J.A. Henry Y serves meals in Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie counties (varies seasonally).

Summer meals are served DAILY in Chattanooga, Cleveland and Rhea County (check schedules).

Meals are served WEEKLY in rural areas of Hamilton, Bradley, Bledsoe, McMinn, Rhea and Sequatchie counties. If you live in Bradley or Hamilton county, outside of Chattanooga/Cleveland city limits, view the Rural Sites list for a location near you. Meal boxes contain 14 meals: 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches for children.

Chattanooga Cleveland Rhea County Rural Sites

Georgia: The North Georgia Y serves meals in Catoosa and Walker counties (varies seasonally).

Current Locations

WE NEED YOU!

Volunteers Make our Mission a Success
Volunteers all required to complete background check & training.

J.A. Henry - Volunteer

Nick reaching into box to grab item for meal

Individual volunteers or groups are always needed. Shifts are flexible (minimum 2 hours):

Monday-Friday:

8-10 am

10:30 am-12 pm

12-2 pm

For more information on volunteering for J.A. Henry, email foodandfun@ymcachattanooga.org or call 423.805.3361.

North Georgia - Volunteer

Volunteers are needed year-round.

In the summer, volunteers prepare meals, deliver & serve and lead games/activities. Morning to early afternoon shifts (8 am-1:30 pm).

For Backpack Blessings, volunteers pack meal bags on scheduled Tuesdays at 4 pm at Walker County Advancing Education Center (AEC).

For more information on volunteering with North Georgia, email hungerfree@ymcachattanooga.org or call 706.935.2226.

Community Partners

We are fortunate to work with dedicated and creative community partners to deliver the federal meal programs.

We are always open to new partnerships throughout our region to increase the number of youth we serve each summer and during the academic year.

Interested in becoming a partner site?

Complete the form to get started or contact us with questions.

Healthy Eating Standards

Federal nutrition programs dictate all meals contain vegetable, fruit, whole grain, meat/meat alternative and milk components. We incorporate a variety of fresh foods and follow the YMCA Health Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards:

No trans fats

No more than 8 grams of added sugar per serving

Sugar isn't one of first three ingredients

Only whole grains

No fried or pre-fried foods

Beverages: water, 1% or non-fat milk

Nondiscrimination Compliance

Updated Nov. 10, 2025

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Join the Y

Our Mission: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

At the YMCA, we believe in working together to achieve an environment that is welcoming for all individuals regardless of age, religion, ability, gender or socioeconomic status. To achieve our mission of empowering all people, the Y is committed to providing a space that embodies our values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.