MCCC and Monroe YMCA partner in community food distribution efforts

Staff Reports
·2 min read

MONROE — Monroe County Community College and the Monroe Family YMCA have announced a partnership between the two organizations which allows the YMCA to use one of MCCC's culinary kitchens in the Warrick Student Center for food preparation as part of its meal distribution program.

According to MCCC Dean of Business Leon Letter, who oversees the college's Corporate and Community Services area that provides non-credit classes in culinary arts, the partnership exemplifies the strong commitment of both organizations toward community welfare and aims to provide a platform for culinary initiatives that support local needs.

"We are elated to embark on this partnership with Monroe Family YMCA," MCCC President Kojo Quartey said. "This not only strengthens our ties with the community but also underscores our commitment to supporting initiatives that promote well-being and empowerment."

At a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Monroe County Community College and Monroe Family YMCA announced a new partnership between the two organizations in community food distribution efforts. From left, Josh Myers, executive director of The Foundation at Monroe County Community College; Susan Vanisacker, board member at the Monroe Family YMCA and director of community relations at La-Z-Boy Inc. and the La-Z-Boy Foundation; Leon Letter, MCCC dean of business; Kojo Quartey, MCCC president; Curtis Creagh, MCCC vice president of finance and administration; Kristin Irwin, CEO, Monroe Family YMCA; Grace Yackee, MCCC vice president of instruction; Carrie Powell, YMCA anti-hunger initiatives director and Scott Behrens, MCCC vice president of enrollment management and student success.

Letter said MCCC and the YMCA will also partner to provide food services for MCCC’s summer Upward Bound and Husky Hype-Up programs. The YMCA will offer onsite breakfast and lunch for students participating in the two programs.

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The Upward Bound program assists students in grades 9-12 in the successful completion of high school and preparation for post-secondary education. Students are enrolled from three target high schools: Monroe, Jefferson and Airport.

Husky Hype-Up is a free, 8-week, in-person summer program to help students prepare for college.

In addition, the YMCA will provide supplementary meals at no cost to students ages 18 and younger in alignment with the summer food services program requirements.

"This partnership opens up new avenues for community engagement and service," Kristin Irwin, CEO of the Monroe Family YMCA, said. "We look forward to leveraging the culinary facilities at MCCC to expand our outreach efforts and make a positive impact in the community."

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MCCC and Monroe YMCA partner in community food distribution efforts