Throughout the year, Youth Services provides meals and snacks for our groups and programs. One way to make a difference for the children who participate in our programs is to help provide food, as well as prepare and/or serve our larger groups.

Having donors provide these necessary meals and snacks, allows Youth Services to divert funds where it is most impactful and ultimately serve more families each year. It also allows for wonderful and rewarding volunteer opportunities!

Study Buddies Dinner – Our Study Buddies Program provides children in 1st-8th grade with free homework and academic support during the school year.

Normally, volunteer groups prepare and serve dinner at the beginning of the evening. Since 2020, this has not been possible. Instead, we are asking volunteer groups to assemble healthier snack packs so that the children can take them home at the end of the evening.

If your group would like to provide snack packs for each child, please contact us about dates and numbers.

Summer Lunches – Youth Services offers free summer programming for neighborhoods in which children and families may not otherwise have access to youth development and enrichment opportunities. The groups offer structured activities that promote social and emotional learning in a safe environment. They participate in positive, recreational activities from mid-June through July. Volunteers generously assemble lunches for the children participating in these programs (number varies by program). If you would like to prepare a lunch, please contact us about dates.

Snacks are in high demand at Youth Services throughout the week. Many children arrive directly from school so we often incorporate group snacks as part of our social programs. Preparing a healthy and delicious snack is a great, hands-on opportunity with a limited commitment of time. If you would like to prepare a healthy snack or assemble snack packs for one of our groups, please contact us about dates and quantities.

Snack suggestions (not limited to):

  • Veggie sticks with hummus and/or ranch dressing
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Cheese sticks, apples, and crackers
  • Tortilla chips with salsa
  • Crackers with cheese
  • Cut up veggies and dip
  • Veggie or fruit muffins
  • Fruit kebabs or cut fruit
  • Snack packs with things like Pirate Booty, Skinny Pop, apple sauces, etc.

For more information, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Jennifer Fitch, at 847-724-2620 or Jennifer.fitch@ysgn.org.