The YMCA of Beaufort County is offering an Afterschool Meal Program to help children stay healthy and succeed in school. Through a national partnership between YMCA of the USA and the Walmart Foundation, the program combines learning enrichment activities with physical activity to keep minds and bodies active, while also serving a healthy meal to kids who may otherwise be at risk of hunger when the school day ends.

[caption id="attachment_18799" align="alignleft" width="168"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Y-afterschool-meals.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-18799" alt="YMCA to offer Afterschool Meal Program." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Y-afterschool-meals-168x300.jpg" width="168" height="300" /></a> YMCA to offer Afterschool Meal Program.[/caption]

According to the USDA, nearly 50 million Americans – including more than 16 million children and teens under age 18 – live with food insecurity. Through its afterschool program and a grant from the Walmart Foundation, the Y will serve more children through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which feeds school-aged children during the week, on weekends and during school vacations. This school year, the Y will offer an Afterschool Meal Program at nearly 1,300 locations across the country.

“Some students may not know where their next meal will come from when the school day ends, and without proper nourishment it’s hard to focus in school. At the Y, we are focused on keeping kids well-nourished and engaged in learning when school’s not in session,” said Kaylin Garst, Operations Director, YMCA of Beaufort County. “Thanks to the Walmart Foundation, our Y will be able to do more to address this issue all year long.”

As part of a long-time commitment to youth development, the Y nurtures the physical, mental and social-emotional development of youth. Combining play with academic enrichment, YMCA afterschool programs promote creativity, a love for learning, social and emotional development and character building, while complementing lessons learned during the school day.

To learn more, contact the YMCA at 843-522-9622 or visit www.ymcabeaufortcounty.com.
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