NASHVILLE, TN — Approximately 4,000-day campers this summer are receiving healthy breakfast and snacks thanks to a generous grant awarded by BJ’s Charitable Foundation.
The Foundation gifted the Y’s Camp Widjiwagan $26,000 to fully underwrite adding a light breakfast for bus-riding day campers and to supplement the afternoon snack for all day campers. These snacks ensure children are well-fed and energized when they arrive at camp and refueled before they head home each day.
“The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is grateful for BJ’s Charitable Foundation’s interest in our work and the generous gift they have provided to help ensure our campers have a transformative and nourishing experience at summer camp,” said Luke Dooley, executive director of the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center and Camp Widjiwagan.
“At BJ’s, we are committed to taking care of the families who depend on us,” said Kirk Saville, head of communications, BJ’s Wholesale club. “We are proud to partner with the Y to support children and families in the Middle Tennessee community. The grant from BJ’s Charitable Foundation will provide breakfast and snacks for the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan.”
In addition, the company donated a one-year BJ’s Wholesale Club business membership to help the Y with other purchasing needs.
During its 10 weeks of summer programming, Camp Widjiwagan operates nine bus routes, picking up and dropping off nearly 4,000-day campers, including a Mt. Juliet bus stop. In 2023, the Y served more than 300,000 meals and snacks to children in before and after-school programs across four Middle Tennessee counties. All children in YMCA programs receive a healthy snack or meal every day, ensuring children in YMCA’s care have the nutrition they need to learn, grow and thrive.
The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is the region’s leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Inspired by its mission as a worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body, for 149 years, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee has been giving people of all ages the tools they need to belong and be well. Last year, the Y reached 238,373 people, improving the region’s health and well-being, nurturing the potential of children and teens and providing opportunities to serve others and support our neighbors.
Established in 2004 by BJ’s Wholesale Club, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation provides essentials needs to families in the local communities BJ’s members and team members live and work. Through local and national non-profit partnerships, the Foundation focuses its giving efforts on three main pillars: hunger relief, education and health and wellness. Learn more at https://www.BJs.com/esg.
