The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County pivoted immediately when its facilities shut down in March as the COVID crisis started. The gym floors, exercise spaces and pools were vacant, but employees and volunteers jumped into action to respond to critical community needs.
Working in partnership with area food banks and community organizations, the Y has been distributing hundreds of meals and food supplies four days a week at their facilities in Red Bank, Middletown, Freehold and Old Bridge.
When YMCAs throughout the state were ordered to close their doors in the initial phase of what would become a national health crisis, the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County quickly turned its health and wellness facilities into community hubs for food, meals and other essential services. The Y initiated and carried out blood drives and COVID-19 testing at several facilities. The Y also offered emergency child care for essential workers, and mental health services for community members struggling during the crisis.
Y President and CEO Laurie Goganzer said dozens of volunteers have worked over 160 hours assisting with the recent food distribution and food drives – all part of the Y’s Togetherhood® initiative, which recruits Y members to provide support outside the walls of the Y.
The Freehold Borough YMCA remains one of the busiest locations among the Y’s branches in Monmouth and Middlesex counties. Three days every week, families and seniors gather at the Freehold Y for crisis relief boxes from Fulfill, fresh produce from the Freehold Safety Net Group and other food donated to the Y. Nearly 8,000 free meals have been distributed by the Freehold Y since the start of the health crisis.
The Y has also collected nonperishable food, infant formula, diapers, and hygiene items for Lunch Break, Fulfill and the Old Bridge Township Food Bank.
The Y will continue to provide critical mental health counseling via telehealth and by appointment at its counseling and social services centers in Matawan and Eatontown. Child care is available for families at the Freehold Family YMCA, and summer day camps will open July 6 in Freehold and Camp Zehnder in Wall.
Additionally, COVID-19 testing is ongoing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Red Bank YMCA by the VNA of Central New Jersey’s Community Health Centers.
For more information on food distribution, donations, volunteering or other Y programs and services, connect with the Y at www.ymcanj.org or on social media by following @ymcaGMC.
The article originally appeared in the July 2 – 8, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
