Since opening in 2019, the Northside Community Centre YMCA has been an important gathering place for kids and teens in the Glendale area. Its popular free drop-in youth centre and Skatepark Mentorship program have been a staple in youth’s lives as they look for a safe, inclusive place to go after school and on Friday nights. Now, they can also sit down together and enjoy a free, hot meal every Friday night at Free Food Fridays.

Free Food Fridays is a program that launched in February, generously sponsored by Avalanche Integrity. Typically, a little more than 30 youth arrive at the centre each week to eat together, with as many as 53 taking part in the meal one Friday. Youth who attend can also develop skills in the kitchen with the chance to help prepare the meal. Often the centre sees 70 or more youth attending youth centre drop-in and Friday night Teen Nights, so it’s a busy place for kids and teens.

“We already knew that youth in our area needed a place to go to hang out together in a safe space. Some of these kids’ families may be experiencing food insecurity or economic uncertainty, so we are so grateful to be able to offer a warm, nutritious meal to them at no cost,” says Amy Komarniski, General Manager at the community centre. “At the YMCA, we deeply value social inclusion — everyone can have a sense of belonging here, and giving kids and youth the chance to connect with each other over a healthy meal is such a great way to offer that opportunity to those who need it.”

Meals are served Friday nights at 4:30pm for ages 8–18, and again at 6pm for ages 13–18 every week until the end of the school year. During the summer, the YMCA will continue to provide snacks for youth at the skatepark, and Free Food Fridays will start up again in September. For more information, visit ymcanab.ca/ncc.

About YMCA of Northern Alberta

YMCA of Northern Alberta is a registered charity dedicated to building healthy communities since 1907. From providing quality child care and supporting people in their health and wellness to providing important housing and community outreach programs, the YMCA of Northern Alberta works to strengthen communities in the Red Deer, Wood Buffalo, Grande Prairie and Edmonton regions. For more information, visit ymcanab.ca.