Help 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’s also a time of increased food insecurity. That’s why the YMCA of Western North Carolina is proud to be the featured beneficiary of WLOS’s Break the Hunger event on June 13, 2025.

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 13, 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 Essentials

• 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 rely on school meals for daily nutrition. When school is out, families often struggle to fill that gap. Our snack packs and Mobile Food Markets are designed to meet this need—especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has increased food insecurity in our region.

By donating, you’re not just giving food—you’re giving hope, health, and a stronger future for our community.

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.