Imagine a child sitting down to solve a math problem or lace up their sneakers for a basketball game, but instead of focusing on the task at hand, they’re worried about when they’ll eat next. Food insecurity affects 1 in 8 children across America,1 a reality that hits harder during the summer months when free and reduced-priced school lunch is on pause.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we believe that no child should face their day on an empty stomach, and our friends at Maytag brand agree. Through the Feel Good Fridge program, they’re providing select Boys & Girls Clubs with a refrigerator stocked with healthy food for Club kids and their families to take as needed. Each fridge provides healthy food to an average of 130 Club kids per day.
This summer, Union League Boys & Girls Club – Barreto Club in Chicago is receiving its brand new Feel Good Fridge from Maytag brand. We spoke with Jeremy Murphy, Senior Club Director, and Hector Perez, Senior Vice President, at the Barreto Club. They shared with us the impact of the Maytag brand partnership on their Club programs and how the fridge will support Club kids and their families.
The Importance of Access to Food
“In Humboldt Park, where our Club is located, we’re in the heart of a food desert.2 This means the nearest large grocery store is more than a mile away, and the small corner stores nearby don’t offer the fresh produce our families need,” Jeremy explained. “This lack of access to nutritious food makes our mission even more critical. It’s not just about filling bellies, it’s about offering healthy options that are otherwise out of reach.”
“Many of our Club kids, especially during the summer, might not have had breakfast,” Hector said. “For some, the meal we provide is the only one they look forward to all day.”
“Teens often don’t get home until late. If they’re hungry, they can’t focus on their homework, making our meals here at the Club crucial,” Hector added.
“In fact, one of our Club kids would save his meal instead of eating it because there was no food at home.” This is just one example of what some of our youth today face and highlights why Club meal services are so important — not just for feeding the kids but for supporting the whole family.
A Foundation for Focus Starts With Meeting Kids’ Basic Needs
Jeremy touched on the importance of meeting physiological needs, emphasizing how vital it is for our kids to have their basic needs met before we can expect them to focus and excel in anything else.
He also explained how hunger affects youth: “It’s clear when a child is struggling with hunger because they might seem tired, distant, or disengaged. But when they receive a nutritious meal, the transformation is almost immediate — it’s remarkable. Everybody’s always happy when they have a good meal. They’re more energetic and ready to engage with the world around them.”
How Nutrition Impacts Youth Development
Nutrition isn’t just about keeping hunger at bay; it’s about fueling growing bodies and minds. “Knowing they can come to the Club and get a dependable meal removes a big obstacle,” Hector added. “It lets our kids focus on what’s really important: their growth and personal development. In the evenings, we make sure to offer healthy meals that keep our kids happy and active until it’s time to go home.”
From the belly to the brain — nutrition impacts mental health: 4 in 10 young people report feeling persistent sadness or hopelessness.3 Proper nutrition supports brain function, mood regulation and stress reduction — building healthy bodies and minds ready to focus on their great futures.
Here are some other ways nutrition impacts youth:
- Physical Growth: Low amounts of protein can prevent bones from growing longer; a lack of essential minerals means bones cannot form properly.4
- Mental Development: Poor nutrition can hinder brain development, resulting in behavioral and emotional challenges.5, 6, 7
- Chronic Health Risks: Unhealthy eating habits can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.8 In fact, studies show that adults who don’t always have enough food are 50% more likely to get diabetes, highlighting the importance of consistent healthy eating.9
Cultivating Healthy Habits with Hands-on Gardening and Cooking Programs
Hands-on learning at Boys & Girls Clubs teaches kids practical life skills like responsibility and good habits through interactive gardening and cooking programs. Jeremy explained, “We use the healthy habits curriculum at our Club, so storing some of the fruits and vegetables that we grow in our garden in that fridge will help us reinforce what we’re already teaching.”
The cooking program teaches kids to prepare healthy meals, skills they can then use at home. “Kids not only learn how to cook and prepare healthy options, but they also bring these meals home to cook with their parents,” Jeremy added, highlighting the program’s role in building community and reinforcing healthy habits.
Strengthening the Community through Nutrition
Clubs positively affect not just members but also families and the wider community, highlighting the vital role food security plays in individual and community well-being.
When the Feel Good Fridge program kicks off at the Club, families will be encouraged to come in and get the food they need from the fridge without judgment. “Having this fridge means we can significantly expand our meal programs to help more people,” said Jeremy. “It’s going to change the way we serve our community by allowing us to offer more fresh food options every day.”
Maytag brand’s initiative brings more than just meals to tables; it brings hope and stability, enabling youth and their families to thrive without the worry of hunger holding them back. Now, that’s something to feel good about.
Keep More Kids Fed, Fueled and Focused
Nearly two-thirds of Boys & Girls Club kids depend on school for breakfast and lunch and their Club for nutritious snacks and meals — especially during summer. Learn more about our partnership with Maytag brand and how they help ensure Club kids have access to healthy food they can depend on.
