Access to Healthy, Nutritious Food
One in three Massachusetts families report not having enough food to eat. At the Merrimack Valley YMCA, we know that access to healthy, nutritious food is vital for our community. Our food programs feed thousands of children, seniors and families.
Methuen Mobile Market
Each month, the Methuen YMCA hosts the Greater Boston Food Bank Mobile Market. This resource, which provides fresh, healthy food, is open to all in the community; pre-registration is not required. Participants simply drive up and volunteers will place bags of groceries in their cars.
The Greater Boston Food Bank delivers approximately 15,000 lbs of food in a tractor-trailer and offloads it at our Y branch. Our team and volunteers then create bags from these pallets of fresh produce and lean products to distribute directly into vehicles. We also offer senior boxes for those that meet income eligibility which gives them an additional box of shelf stable foods.
The Mobile Market services approximately 350 families per month.
FAQs
When is food distribution time?
9:00am until the food runs out.
What are the dates of the Methuen Mobile Market?
2026
- January 24
- February 28
- March 28
- April 25
- May 30
- June 27
- July 25
- August 22
- September 26
Can I volunteer?
Volunteers are welcome! If you would like to volunteer at the Methuen Mobile Market, please visit our Volunteer page or sign up for a shift.
If you would like more information about this free community resource, visit the Greater Boston Food Bank website or contact Cathy Redard at credard@mvymca.org.
Child Care Food Program
At the Merrimack Valley YMCA, we’re committed to ensuring every child has access to the healthy meals they need to learn, grow, and thrive. In Lawrence, 85% of children enrolled in our child care programs qualify for free meals under USDA Food and Nutrition guidelines, while 74% of Methuen participants qualify.
To meet this need, children in our Lawrence and Methuen child care programs receive a morning snack, lunch, and a “super snack” each full day. Our Out-of-School-Time participants also receive a nutritious super snack during school days — helping every child stay energized and ready to succeed.
Mobile Food Pantry
Bringing healthy food directly to our neighbors in need.
The Mobile Food Pantry, based at our Lawrence YMCA branch, delivers nutritious groceries to families across our community every week. In partnership with the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, our mobile pantry picks up thousands of pounds of food that our dedicated volunteers sort, pack into family-sized grocery bags, and distribute at rotating locations throughout the Merrimack Valley.
Contact Willie Hernandez at whernandez@mvymca.org to learn more about where the Mobile Food Pantry will be next, or to volunteer.
How You Can Help
How Your Gift Makes a Difference
- $30 = a hot dinner for a local family
- $75 = 25 super snacks for children in our childcare programs
- $100 = groceries for 1 family for a week
- $250 = 10 grocery supplement boxes to support seniors
- $500 = 50 nutritious dinners for teens
- $750 = 25 nutritious dinners for families
- $1,000 = 350 healthy meals for preschoolers
- $2,500 = 7 families with groceries for one month
Your support will provide increased access to healthy food choices to those in the Merrimack Valley by allowing us to purchase more food and personal items and increase outreach in our community.
Donate to Our Food Programs
You can also help us better serve our community by donating food or personal care items. Every item you give helps feed and support our neighbors in need; your donations make a real difference for those served through our Y’s food programs. Item donations can be dropped off at any of our branches.
Food
Please no glass items.
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Fruit cups
- Boxes or small bags of rice
- Dry beans
- Canned tuna
- Canned chicken
- Peanut butter
- 100% Juice (cranberry and orange)
- Oatmeal
- Coffee/tea
- Granola bars
- Chicken noodle soup (no tomato or cream of)
- Boxed meals
- Ramen noodles
Personal Care
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Baby wipes
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Soap
- Feminine care products
- Shaving products
Organize a Neighborhood Food Drive
Another option to support the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s food programs is to host a food drive in your neighborhood.
Here’s how it works:
- The Y will provide you with marketing materials that you can share out to friends and neighbors, asking for their support with this drive.
- YMCA staff and volunteers will set up our Mobile Food Pantry in your neighborhood and help you collect food from those supporting your drive.
- YMCA staff will take pictures at your event and share our gratitude to the community.
For more information on how you can organize a food drive for your neighbors, please contact Cathy Redard at credard@mvymca.org.
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