Snyder pleased with Grab-and-Go meal turnout
The Osage Prairie YMCA's Grab-and-Go meal program is flourishing under the guidance of Director Jeff Snyder.
Serving free meals three days a week at seven different locations, Snyder said the numbers his staff and volunteers are serving per day has doubled to approximately 400 in recent weeks.
In the midst of these turbulent times, Snyder touted the program's major benefits.
"The program is excellent, and has been well-received by the community," he told the Daily Mail on Monday. "This isn't just for families in need — this is for any kid. The success of the program — is that everybody has kind of grasped onto that notion."
Added Snyder: "You'll see kids and families from all walks of life come in and take advantage of the service and program. It's been phenomenal."
Snyder noted that during the time when the Nevada R-5 district was serving their free emergency meals, both R-5 and Osage Prairie were serving around 1,000 free meals per day.
"Our (numbers) have doubled since they have stopped," Snyder said. "So we want to make sure that everybody is well aware that we continued the program, and we have the ability to continue this through the summer."
Snyder was complimentary of R-5's efforts, adding that they made a decision to halt their meal program a month ago knowing that Osage Prairie was prepared to pick up the slack.
"I think they felt comfortable that we were positioned well to offer the same service," he said.
Meal pickup at each location takes place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Multiple meals are included on each of those days, so it provides individuals for the full seven days of the week.
Snyder said the program falls under the guise of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that some previously stringent guidelines have been eased due to the global pandemic.
"(R-5 District) had their version, we have our version," Snyder explained. 'There's some subtle differences between the two — but ultimately it all comes back to the USDA's programming, that allows us to be able to do this."
Snyder continued: "If anything, I hope this program shows that we're more than a 'swim-and-gym.' There's other things that we are doing within our community that makes us important and relevant to the community. The more kids we can reach, the more kids we can serve. That's the goal here."
Editor's note: Grab-and-Go meal program pickup location and times can be found on the Osage Prairie YMCA's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OsagePrairieYMCA/