The YMCA of Jefferson County is handing out free meals for youth 18 and under this summer.

The distribution effort kicked off Monday, and officials said the program was made possible by generous donations from the community.

Summer meals will be offered through Monday, Aug. 31 for the Chimacum, Port Townsend, and Brinnon school districts. 

The Quilcene School District will receive summer meals starting Wednesday, July 1 through Monday, Aug. 31.

During the first week of the program, only lunch meals will be available.

Starting in the second week of the program, on June 29, breakfast and lunch will be provided through Aug. 31.

“At the Y, we want to make sure no child goes hungry during the summer and we want to ensure there is no disruption in access to healthy foods just because the school year has ended,” said Wendy Bart, CEO of Olympic Peninsula YMCA.

“We’re very fortunate to have received funding for this program from Albertson’s Nourishing Neighbors, the Jefferson Community Foundation, Jefferson Association of Realtors, and private patrons to make summer meals happen this year,” Bart said.

Officials said the meals will follow USDA guidelines and include milk, grains, fruits, veggies, and a meat or meat alternative. 

Some meals will be distributed at grab-and-go sites where children can walk up or their parents can drive up to each site where volunteers will hand them meals. Other meals will be distributed via school district bus routes.

The meal distribution schedule is:

Grab-and-go meal sites:

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday or Wednesday at the Multi-Purpose Room at Chimacum Elementary School, 91 W. Valley Road, Chimacum, or at Chimacum Primary School, 313 Ness Corner Drive, Port Hadlock; and

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday or Thursday at Salish Coast Elementary School, 1637 Grant Street, Port Townsend, or Port Townsend High School, 1500 Van Ness Street, Port Townsend.

Meal delivery sites:

• Meals will be distributed on Monday in Quilcene and Tuesday in Brinnon via school district bus routes. Families can pick up their meals at the same stop they did with their school bus driver. For those who miss a day of delivery, call the YMCA of Jefferson County office at 360-385-5811.

• On Fridays, backpacks will be delivered throughout Jefferson County  via school district bus routes with a weekend’s worth of food. For those who would benefit from a weekend backpack (or know a family that would), contact the YMCA office at 360-385-5811.

People participating in the summer meals program are following federal guidelines for COVID-19 safety and food handling, officials said, and all staff and volunteers will receive health and temperature checks before working. Staff and volunteers also will wear masks and gloves at food prep sites and meal distribution sites. 

Meal recipients should remember to maintain 6 feet of distance from staff and volunteers when possible at the distribution sites. There is no registration or sign-ups required to receive meals and all meals are free for children 18 and under.