Ocean County YMCA To Feed Toms River Students During Summer

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River children from families in need will be fed this summer thanks to a partnership between the Ocean County YMCA and the Toms River Regional School District.

There are about 5,000 students in the Toms River school district that receive free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. For many, it can be the only meal they have in a day. When the school year ends, often students are left without access to free meals until school resumes.

The Y's Summer Meals program aims to bridge the months between the end of the school year in June and the beginning of the new school year in the fall.

"Feeding our children gets to the core of what it means to be a student-centered school district," said David Healy, superintendent of the Toms River Regional Schools. SuperintendentDavid Healy, “and during these challenging times it’s more important than everthat our kids’ academic, social-emotional, and nutritional needs are being met."

The program, which is scheduled to begin May 26 at the Y, 1088 West Whitty Road, will provide meals for students from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday, until the end of August.

Participating children will receive nutritious lunches and snacks daily.

The program will be the first of its kind in Toms River and is being operated in partnership with the Capital Area YMCA, which is currently providing 2,100 meals daily to residents of the greater Trenton area.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 22 million kids receive free or reduced-cost meals thanks to the National School Lunch Program, and just 17 percent of those children are able to access free meals over the summer break.

"Hunger has a lasting impact on the development of children," said Peter T. Rosario, president and CEO of the Ocean County YMCA. "From the first days of this crisis, we have partnered with Fulfill by packing food boxes at the BEAT Center and distributing food boxes at the Y."

"Giving kids access to nutrition-filled meals allows kids to focus, learn, and become empowered to reach their full potential. The Y’s Summer Meals Program is a monumental next step in ourefforts to combat hunger," Rosario said.

"We're proud to work alongside a valuable partner, the Ocean County YMCA, to ensure that children throughout the greater Toms River area — especially those who are economically disadvantaged — remain well fed throughout the summer months," Healy said.

To learn more about the Ocean County YMCA’s Summer Food Program, call or email Kirsten Bowker at 732-341-9622 ext 2215 or kbowker@ocymca.org or visit ocymca.org/summermeals.

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