Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA Veggie Van – A Mobile Market Place.
The Tampa Y is a leader in providing innovative programs that nurture the potential of kids and teens, promote healthy living and giving back to our neighbors in need. In this spirit, we partner with local food bank Feeding Tampa Bay to provide families facing food insecurity with healthy food staples through our Veggie Van program and Cereal for Summer.
One in four children in Tampa Bay are food insecure. Today, hunger is especially prominent due to inflation and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many children rely on free or reduced meals they receive during the school year and often go hungry during the summer months.
This is where the Y steps in! YMCAs across Tampa Bay work to gather boxes of cereal and other breakfast items to donate to Feeding Tampa Bay, which will then be distributed to the community. From April 25 – May 6, visit any of our YMCA centers or our Association Office to donate cereal and other non-perishable breakfast items and help us feed kids in need.
Hunger doesn’t affect individuals just in the summer...hunger happens to everyday people every single day. Through our Veggie Van program, many families benefit from the nutritious fruits and vegetables we distribute for free each month.
The Veggie Van’s goal is to improve the overall health and well-being of participants and their families. In addition to providing healthy food staples, staff and volunteers provide recipe information and healthy living tips. We work with families to improve food preparation, cooking and exercise habits that help minimize the risk of obesity, chronic disease and high blood pressure.
Learn more about the Veggie Van program including how to volunteer, donate and more information about participating in the program.