Break the Hunger this summer with the Y

Summer should be a time of joy and freedom for kids—but for many families in Western North Carolina, it can also mean increased food insecurity. As we prepare for another summer of supporting our communities, the YMCA of Western North Carolina is proud to once again be the featured beneficiary of WLOS’s Break the Hunger event on Friday, June 12 from 5:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

What Is Break the Hunger?

Organized by WLOS and sponsored by Carolina Furniture Concepts and Two Men and a Truck, Break the Hunger is a community-wide food drive aimed at fighting summer hunger. This year, the YMCA of WNC is honored to be at the heart of this effort, helping ensure that children and families across our region have access to healthy, shelf-stable food when school meals are unavailable.

How You Can Help

From now through June 12, all YMCA locations across Western North Carolina will host food collection boxes. We’re especially focused on gathering items for kid-friendly snack packs—nutritious, easy-to-eat foods that will be distributed through our Mobile Food Markets all summer long.

Here’s What We’re Collecting:

Snack Pack Items

• Fruits (no sugar added): Fresh apples and oranges, applesauce, fruit cups in 100% juice, dried fruit, fruit leathers
• Canned goods (pop-top preferred): Chicken or tuna, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas
• Whole grains: Low-sugar oatmeal packets, snack-sized crackers and popcorn, granola bars
• Other healthy snacks: Trail mix, single-serve nut butters, snack packs of nuts

All items should align with the YMCA’s Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards, which prioritize low sugar, low sodium, and no trans fats—ensuring every snack supports long-term health and well-being.

Why It Matters

Many children and families rely on school meals throughout the year. During the summer months, access to consistent nutrition can become more challenging. Through our Mobile Food Markets, and partnerships like Break the Hunger, the YMCA of WNC continues working to help meet evolving community needs.

As our region continues recovering from Hurricane Helene and ongoing economic challenges, this effort reflects our commitment to strengthening communities and ensuring families have access to the support they need.

Join Us

We invite everyone—members, visitors, and neighbors—to participate. Whether you donate a few items or help spread the word, your support makes a real difference.

To learn more about our food programs and how we’re building a healthier, more resilient Western North Carolina, visit ymcawnc.org/food.

Let’s come together to Break the Hunger—because no child should go hungry this summer.