Food Insecurity

Three North Carolina YMCAs are partnering with NC DHHS for the Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOPs). The pilot is the first comprehensive program in the country to test and evaluate the impact of providing specific evidence-based, non-medical interventions related to housing, food, transportation, interpersonal safety, and toxic stress to high-needs Medicaid enrollees.

During the pandemic, Jen Fuller-Allen, CEO of the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington, began sending an email each Friday to her Board of Directors. “I wanted to connect with our Board more regularly to share highlights from the week to better equip them to help tell our story,” Fuller-Allen said.

North Carolina YMCAs provided nearly 2.5 million meals to children, adults and seniors in 2021 to fight food insecurity in the wake of COVID-19. In addition, YMCAs donated more than 640,000 pounds of food, including 430,000+ pounds of fresh, healthy produce, to nourish those in need. 

The Hayes-Taylor YMCA, part of the YMCA of Greensboro, and the Southeast Raleigh YMCA, part of

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The Gaston County Family YMCA delivered 1,700 meals during the summer every day at to four locations (apartment complexes and a mobile home community).

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The YMCA of the Triangle operated three regional food hubs with county CARES Act funding to provide a network of 13 food hubs to provide boxed groceries, fresh and frozen meat, produce, eggs and canned goods twice a month to those in need.

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The YMCA of Western North Carolina’s nutrition team runs multiple mobile markets in five counties every month, providing free food to all community members. The markets provide fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and activities, such as cooking demonstrations.