SHELBY — Food availability is a priority for the YMCA of North Central Ohio.
Efforts at its Shelby and Mansfield branches provide local community members with access to fresh produce and canned goods, among other items.
In early August, the YMCA of NCO unveiled a custom-built farm stand — built and funded by Techniplas — to display and distribute fresh produce at its Shelby branch.
Sara Baker, director of development and marketing at YMCA of NCO, said the produce, available at no cost to both members and non-members, includes tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and a variety of peppers.
The produce which stocks the stand is all grown in the Shelby branch’s community garden.
“When I say that stuff (produce) is just taken at the end of everyday, most days those bowls are empty,” Baker said. “Having a dedicated space for that has been really neat.”
She said Ashley Pifer, executive director of the Shelby branch, typically restocks the produce stand daily.
YMCA of North Central Ohio teams with Techniplas
Techniplas, a plastic manufacturer in Mansfield, shares an interest with the YMCA of NCO in serving the local community and increasing food availability.
Carly Hollar, a member of YMCA of NCO’s board of directors, is a member of the manufacturer’s global team, Baker said.
“She’s (Hollar) very philanthropic and has a close relationship with the YMCA,” Baker said. “When she came on our board, she was just trying to find ways to help that also met the Techniplas mission.”
Along with supporting the YMCA’s garden and local free produce programs, Techniplas also assisted with planting at the Shelby branch community gardens and is a supporter of the summer children’s program.
“They (Techniplas) are very philanthropic,” Baker said. “They’ve been wonderful to the Y.”
Focus on food availability
Along with its recently added produce stand, the Shelby branch also houses a Fish Food Pantry inside its facility — which includes a variety of non-perishable food items.
If Shelby residents have extra produce from a home garden, they’re encouraged to donate to the local YMCA, located at 111 W. Smiley Ave.
“They’re (Shelby residents) welcome to come into the Y and put it (extra produce) in the farm stand,” Baker said. “We would actually really love that.”
Monetary donations to help the Shelby branch continue its community garden and farm stand can be made here.
Donations help cover the gardening supplies, including soil and seeds.
Baker said expansions for the Shelby branch’s community gardens are planned for next year, including more raised garden beds, among other additions.
Campbell’s Foundation grant awards $20,000
The YMCA of NCO recently received a $20,000 grant from the Campbell’s Foundation to assist with efforts increasing food availability.
“We’re making sure that we are doing our due diligence at both branches for food to be readily available for the community, members or non-members,” Baker said.
“We’re making sure that’s (increased food access) at the forefront of the Y’s mission this year. We have just been so thankful for the expansion of the good things we were already doing, but we’re just making them better.”